Find Felony Records in Jeff Davis County
Jeff Davis County felony records are filed with the District Clerk in Fort Davis, Texas, and are part of the public court record for all criminal cases handled in the Jeff Davis County District Court. This page covers how to search and access those records locally and through state databases.
Jeff Davis County Overview
Jeff Davis County District and County Clerk
Jeff Davis County is a rural county in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. Like many small Texas counties, it operates a combined District and County Clerk's office. This single office handles both district-level felony records and county-level records including misdemeanor cases, probate, and vital records. The office is in the Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis.
Because Jeff Davis County has a small population, the clerk's office is compact. Staff can usually look up cases quickly by name or cause number. If you are traveling from out of town, it is a good idea to call ahead and confirm that the office will be open when you arrive. Rural courthouse offices sometimes close for hearings, local events, or administrative reasons.
Copy fees follow the standard Texas schedule: $1 per page for plain copies and $5 per document for certified copies. Payment is typically accepted in cash or money order. Credit card acceptance varies by county. Confirm before you go.
The Jeff Davis County official website provides office contact information and links to county departments including the District and County Clerk.
The site lists addresses, phone numbers, and office hours for county offices in Fort Davis.
Felony Court Jurisdiction in Jeff Davis County
The 394th District Court serves Jeff Davis County along with Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Ward, and Winkler counties as a multi-county judicial district. The district judge travels a circuit to hear cases at each county seat. In Jeff Davis County, felony hearings take place at the courthouse in Fort Davis.
Felony cases range from capital offenses to state jail felonies. The Texas Penal Code defines the levels and punishments. Capital felonies carry life or death. First-degree felonies run 5 to 99 years. Second-degree felonies run 2 to 20 years. Third-degree felonies run 2 to 10 years. State jail felonies run 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility. Each case generates records that the District Clerk files and keeps on behalf of the district court.
Because the 394th is a multi-county district, the judge may not be in Fort Davis every week. Court dates may be scheduled weeks or months out. If you need to check a specific hearing date for a Jeff Davis County case, contact the District Clerk's office directly.
Note: Cases from Jeff Davis County can also be searched through re:SearchTX, which indexes cases from all 254 Texas counties in a single system.
Searching Jeff Davis County Criminal Records Online
The re:SearchTX portal is the primary online tool for searching Jeff Davis County felony records without visiting the courthouse. This statewide system is run by the Texas Office of Court Administration and covers all 254 counties. You can search by person name, cause number, or attorney. Basic case data is free. Full document images may require a subscription.
Name-based criminal history searches are also available through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Each search costs $3 and requires a free account. Fingerprint-based searches give more reliable results and should be used when accuracy is important. Both types of searches pull from the statewide Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system, which includes Jeff Davis County felony records.
For people serving time in Texas state prisons, the TDCJ Offender Search shows current facility information, offense details, and projected release dates. This covers people sentenced from Jeff Davis County and all other Texas counties.
Jeff Davis County Sheriff
The Jeff Davis County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the county and manages the county jail. As with all Texas counties, the sheriff handles arrests and books defendants into the jail. Most people arrested on felony charges are held at the county jail until bond is set or they are transferred to a state facility.
Jeff Davis County is large in land area but small in population. The sheriff's office covers a wide geographic area. If you need to contact the jail about a current inmate, call the sheriff's office directly. The county website may list current contact information. Jail records are separate from District Court records and held by the sheriff, not the clerk.
Statewide and Federal Resources
The Texas Sex Offender Registry covers registered sex offenders in Jeff Davis County. You can search by name, county, or address. The registry is public and searchable online at no cost. All persons required to register who live or work in Jeff Davis County should appear in the database.
The Texas Attorney General's Open Government resources explain how to submit a public information request to any Texas agency including county offices. Under Government Code Chapter 552, government bodies have 10 business days to respond to a records request. If you need court records from Jeff Davis County and cannot visit in person, a written records request is an option. Mail your request with your name, contact information, and a description of the records you need to the District Clerk's office in Fort Davis.
Expunction and nondisclosure procedures are available for qualifying Jeff Davis County cases under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Self-help materials are available at TexasLawHelp.org.
Nearby Counties
Jeff Davis County is in West Texas and neighbors several other Trans-Pecos counties. These pages cover felony records for surrounding areas.