Hemphill County Felony Records
Hemphill County felony records are kept by the District Clerk's office in Canadian, Texas. The 31st District Court handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. This page explains how to find, request, and access those public records.
Hemphill County Overview
Hemphill County District Clerk
The Hemphill County District/County Clerk is a combined office in Canadian, Texas. The office is located at the Hemphill County Courthouse, 400 Main Street, Canadian, TX 79014. Phone: (806) 323-6212. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In smaller Texas counties like Hemphill, one elected official often serves as both District Clerk and County Clerk. That is the case here. This office keeps all felony criminal case records filed in the county as well as civil, probate, and misdemeanor files.
When you need to look up a felony case in Hemphill County, this office is your first stop. Staff can search by name or cause number. If you already have the cause number, the search goes faster. Walk-in searches are available during regular hours. Written requests by mail are also accepted. Payment for copies must be included with any written request. The clerk does not accept personal checks from unknown requestors, so use a money order or cashier's check when mailing.
The Hemphill County official website provides contact details and office information for county departments including the clerk's office.
The county homepage links to key department contact information and helps you confirm current office hours before making a trip to Canadian.
Felony Cases in the 31st District Court
The 31st District Court has jurisdiction over Hemphill County. This court hears all felony criminal cases filed in the county, from arraignment through final disposition. The 31st also serves several other Panhandle counties, so the judge rotates among courthouses. Felony cases in Texas range from state jail felonies at the low end to capital felonies at the top. The Texas Penal Code defines each level. State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years. Third-degree felonies bring 2 to 10 years. Second-degree felonies run 2 to 20 years. First-degree felonies carry 5 to 99 years or life. Capital felonies may result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.
All of these case types flow through the 31st District Court when filed in Hemphill County. The District Clerk indexes every case and maintains the official court record. Once a case is filed, it becomes public record in Texas unless a court order seals it. Convictions, acquittals, dismissals, and deferred adjudication dispositions are all part of the public court record under Texas Government Code Chapter 411.
Note: Call the District Clerk's office to confirm the next scheduled court date in Canadian before traveling, as the 31st District Court serves multiple Panhandle counties on a rotating schedule.
Searching Hemphill County Felony Records Online
The main tool for online felony record searches in Hemphill County is the re:SearchTX statewide court portal. This system covers all 254 Texas counties and is free for basic case lookups. You can search by party name, cause number, or attorney. Document access for some case files may require a subscription. The data refreshes nightly, so very recent filings may not appear right away.
Re:SearchTX is the official statewide portal operated by the Texas Judiciary. It lets you view case status, party information, hearing dates, and some filed documents. For a small county like Hemphill, the statewide portal often provides faster results than waiting for in-person searches. The system covers felony, civil, family, and juvenile cases from all district courts in the state.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service allows name-based searches. You need to create a free CRS Public Website Account first. Name-based searches cost $3 per search and are good for general reference. A fingerprint-based search through the Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) is more precise and required for formal purposes like background checks for employment or licensing.
Requesting Copies of Felony Records
Standard copy fees in Hemphill County follow Texas law. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. Name-based record searches run $5 per name. These fees apply to most county clerks and district clerks across Texas under the Texas Local Government Code.
To get copies by mail, write to the Hemphill County District/County Clerk at 400 Main Street, Canadian, TX 79014. Include the full name of the defendant, approximate case year, and cause number if known. Include a money order for the estimated copy cost. The clerk will contact you if additional payment is needed or if the records are not available.
In-person searches are available during regular business hours at the courthouse in Canadian. The clerk's office can look up cases on the county's case management system while you wait. Free self-service terminals may also be available at the courthouse for public use. Call ahead to check.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552, government bodies must respond to public records requests within 10 business days. If they need more time or seek to withhold records, they must notify you and may request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Statewide Resources for Hemphill County Cases
Several state tools can help you research Hemphill County felony cases. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search covers all people currently held in Texas state prisons. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID number. The system shows current facility, projected release date, and offense information for state inmates.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by county, city, zip code, or name. It covers all registered sex offenders in Hemphill County and is maintained by the Texas DPS under Government Code Chapter 62. Registration information includes the offender's name, date of birth, address, and offense details.
If you need to clear a record in Hemphill County, expunction procedures are governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or were never prosecuted may be eligible for expunction. Orders of Nondisclosure are available for certain deferred adjudication cases. The District Clerk's office can provide the required petition forms.
The Texas State Law Library criminal records guide provides plain-language explanations of how to access criminal history in Texas. It covers the difference between name-based and fingerprint-based searches, explains what records are public, and lists resources for self-represented individuals.
Hemphill County Sheriff's Office
The Hemphill County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The sheriff's office makes felony arrests in Hemphill County and transports defendants to the county jail pending court proceedings. The jail holds pretrial detainees and short-term sentenced inmates. Jail booking records are generally public information in Texas and can be requested from the sheriff's office.
For active warrant information or to check whether someone is currently in the Hemphill County Jail, contact the sheriff's office directly at the Hemphill County Courthouse in Canadian. Warrant information may also appear in online court case records through re:SearchTX when a warrant has been issued by the district court. Arrest records from the sheriff's office are separate from court records but both are part of the public record for a felony case.
The Texas Office of Court Administration publishes annual statistical reports on felony caseloads by county. These reports break down case types and dispositions across all 254 Texas counties, including smaller ones like Hemphill.
Nearby Counties
Hemphill County is in the Texas Panhandle region. Felony records for neighboring counties can be found through their respective pages.