Search Howard County Felony Records
Howard County felony records are filed with the District Clerk's Office in Big Spring, Texas, where the district court handles all criminal cases above the misdemeanor level. This page covers how to access and request those records.
Howard County Overview
Howard County District Clerk
The Howard County District Clerk's Office holds all felony case records for the county. The office is located at the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring, Texas. All felony indictments, criminal case filings, and court judgments are indexed and maintained by this office. Staff can perform name or cause number searches during regular business hours.
The 118th District Court serves Howard County and handles felony criminal cases along with civil matters. The court is based at the courthouse in Big Spring. All felony matters from arrest through sentencing generate records that are filed with the District Clerk. Those records include the indictment, plea information, motions, court orders, and any final judgment or sentence.
The Howard County Courthouse is located at 300 Main St., Big Spring, TX 79720. Call (432) 264-2223 to reach the District Clerk's office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is a good idea to call ahead before visiting to confirm what records are available and whether they can be pulled the same day.
The Howard County official website lists department contacts and general information about county government services in Big Spring.
The county website is a starting point for locating the right department and confirming contact details before visiting or calling the courthouse.
Felony Case Records in Howard County
Every felony case in Howard County starts with a grand jury indictment. Once the grand jury returns a true bill, the District Clerk files it and opens a case in the court's docket. From that point, each court hearing, motion, and order becomes part of the record. When the case closes, the final judgment and sentence are filed and kept permanently.
Texas felony classifications cover five levels. State jail felonies are the least serious, carrying 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility. Third-degree felonies bring 2 to 10 years. Second-degree felonies carry 2 to 20 years. First-degree felonies go up to 99 years or life. Capital felonies can result in death or life without parole. All of these case types are filed with the Howard County District Clerk.
Most felony records in Howard County are public unless the court has issued a sealing order. Expunged records are not available. If you are researching someone's criminal background, the District Clerk's office is the primary source for Howard County cases. The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers this county.
How to Find Howard County Felony Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best free tool for looking up Howard County felony records online. This statewide system covers all 254 Texas counties and lets you search by party name, cause number, or attorney name. Basic case information is free. Document images may require a subscription for some counties.
For in-person access, visit the District Clerk's office at the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring. Staff can search by name or cause number and produce copies. Standard copy fees in Texas are $1 per page plus $5 per document for certified copies. A research fee of $5 per name may apply when no cause number is provided.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with the case details, your contact information, and payment or payment authorization to the Howard County District Clerk, 300 Main St., Big Spring, TX 79720. Allow time for processing and mailing.
For people currently in state prison as a result of a Howard County conviction, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows current facility, projected release, and offense information. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID number.
Howard County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Howard County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and maintains jail records for the county. Arrest information and booking records are generally public in Texas once charges have been filed. You can request these records under the Texas Public Information Act by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Sheriff's Office must respond to a records request within 10 business days. If records are public, they must be produced or the agency must indicate any exception it intends to claim. Most arrest records and jail rosters are released without issue for cases where charges have been filed.
The Sheriff's Office is located in Big Spring. For open records requests, contact them directly and ask for the public information officer or records division. For cases where charges are still pending, some records may be temporarily withheld to protect the investigation.
State Resources for Howard County Cases
Several state-level databases supplement what you can find at the county courthouse. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service provides name-based criminal history searches for $3 per query. A fingerprint-based search gives more complete results and is required for many formal background check purposes. Both types require creating a CRS Public Website Account before submitting.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name, city, county, or zip code. It covers all registered sex offenders in Howard County and shows offense information, registration status, and address where available. The registry is updated regularly and free to search.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government page is a useful resource if you have trouble getting records. Under the Texas Public Information Act, you have the right to request public records from any state or local government entity. The AG's office can mediate disputes and issue rulings on whether records must be released.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, conviction records and deferred adjudication outcomes are considered public. Sealed and expunged records are not. If a person successfully had their Howard County felony record expunged, that record is no longer available to the public.
Nearby Counties
Howard County is located in West Texas. These neighboring counties also have felony records available through their District Clerk offices.