Jones County Felony Records
Jones County felony records are maintained by the District Clerk's Office in Anson, Texas, and cover all criminal case filings handled by the 259th District Court. This page explains how to search, request, and access these public records through local, county, and state resources.
Jones County Overview
Jones County District Clerk
The Jones County District Clerk's Office is located at the Jones County Courthouse in Anson, Texas. The District Clerk is the official custodian of all felony criminal case records filed in Jones County. This includes indictments, case filings, court orders, judgments, and other documents generated by the 259th District Court.
To reach the District Clerk, contact the Jones County Courthouse in Anson. Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can assist with case lookups by cause number or party name. If you need certified copies of court documents, bring a valid ID and payment. The standard copy fee in Texas is $1 per page, with an additional $5 per document for certified copies. Fees are set by the Texas Local Government Code and apply across the state.
The Jones County official website provides contact information for all county offices including the District Clerk. You can verify current phone numbers, hours, and any changes in office procedures before making an in-person visit.
The county site also links to resources for the Sheriff's Office, County Clerk, and other offices that play a role in the criminal records system.
Felony Cases in the 259th District Court
All felony charges in Jones County are heard by the 259th District Court. This court has jurisdiction over all levels of felony offenses under the Texas Penal Code. Capital felonies carry a sentence of life or death. First-degree felonies bring 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Second-degree felonies carry 2 to 20 years. Third-degree felonies run 2 to 10 years. State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility.
When a grand jury returns an indictment in Jones County, the case is docketed in the 259th District Court. From that point, the District Clerk records every filing, order, and disposition. These records become part of the public file once the case is no longer sealed. Most adult felony criminal records are available to the public under the Texas Public Information Act, found at Texas Government Code Chapter 552.
Note: Certain records may be sealed by court order, involve juveniles, or relate to expunged matters. Those records are not available to the public.
Search Jones County Felony Records Online
The best statewide tool for searching Jones County court records is re:SearchTX, the official portal operated by the Texas courts. This system covers all 254 Texas counties. You can search by defendant name, case number, attorney, or filing date. Basic case information is free. Access to document images may require a subscription or registration through an eFileTexas account.
re:SearchTX data refreshes nightly. It is not a real-time system, so very recent filings may not appear immediately. For the most current information, contact the District Clerk directly. The portal also lets you set case alerts to receive updates when activity occurs on a tracked matter.
For statewide criminal history data beyond Jones County, the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system holds records for all arrests and dispositions at the Class B misdemeanor level or above across Texas. Name-based searches are available to the public through the CRS Public Website for a fee. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and serve as the definitive identification method.
The TDCJ Offender Search is another free tool. It lists all individuals currently incarcerated in Texas state prisons, including those from Jones County. You can search by name, TDCJ number, or SID number. Results include current facility, projected release date, and offense information.
Jones County Sheriff's Office
The Jones County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. Arrest records and jail booking information originate with the Sheriff. After an arrest, the case moves to the district attorney's office and then to the District Court if charges are filed.
For current inmate information in the Jones County jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Booking records, charges, and bond amounts are generally available to the public. Arrest data from the Sheriff feeds into the Texas DPS CCH system after processing. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards at tcjs.state.tx.us maintains inspection reports for county jails across Texas, including Jones County.
Accessing Criminal History Through Texas DPS
Texas Government Code Chapter 411, specifically Subchapter F, governs who can access criminal history record information and under what conditions. The law defines criminal history as information collected by a criminal justice agency that includes descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, and dispositions.
Public access is limited to conviction data. Arrests that did not result in conviction, deferred adjudications on certain charges, and sealed records are not available through public channels. Only fingerprint-based searches through the Texas DPS provide a confirmed match to a specific individual. Name-based searches through the CRS portal may return multiple matches or incorrect results if the name is common.
To request your own criminal history record, visit the DPS Criminal History portal and create an account. You will need to purchase credits for each search. The process is the same for members of the public checking their own records or checking records of another individual where lawful access applies.
Note: Employers and agencies with specific statutory authority may access additional records beyond what is available to the general public.
Expunctions and Nondisclosure Orders
Texas law allows certain criminal records to be cleared. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, a court may order the expunction of records for arrests that did not lead to conviction, including acquittals, dismissals, and pardons. An expunction requires the physical destruction or return of all records held by any agency.
Orders of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Sections 411.071 through 411.081 allow individuals who completed deferred adjudication to seal their records from public view. These are distinct from expunctions. Sealed records still exist but are not accessible to the general public. If Jones County records show a case with no final disposition or a sealed status, the file may have been subject to one of these orders.
To pursue an expunction or nondisclosure in Jones County, a petition must be filed in the 259th District Court. The Texas State Law Library at guides.sll.texas.gov/criminal-records provides detailed guidance on eligibility and procedures for both types of record clearing.
Sex Offender Registry for Jones County
Texas maintains a statewide sex offender registry under Texas Government Code Chapter 62. The registry is searchable by name, address, city, county, or zip code at sor.dps.texas.gov. Registered offenders in Jones County appear in the database with offense details, risk level, and current address information.
Local law enforcement in Jones County is responsible for registering sex offenders and verifying addresses. Failure to comply with registration requirements is itself a criminal offense in Texas. The DPS updates the registry regularly to reflect current information.
Public Information Requests in Jones County
The Texas Public Information Act gives any person the right to request records from a government body. Under Government Code Chapter 552, all government information is presumed public unless a specific exception applies. A governmental body must respond to your request within 10 business days.
To request records from Jones County, submit a written request to the relevant office. For criminal case records, that is the District Clerk. For arrest records or incident reports, contact the Sheriff's Office. Include enough detail to identify the records you want: full name, date of birth, approximate date of the incident, or case number if you have it.
For questions about public records access, the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Hotline can be reached at (877) OPEN-TEX. The AG's office also publishes guidance on the Public Information Act at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government.
Nearby Counties
Jones County borders several other West Texas counties. Records from neighboring jurisdictions can be accessed through the same state-level tools.