McMullen County Felony Records Search
McMullen County felony records are on file with the District Clerk in Tilden, Texas, covering all criminal cases processed through the county's district court. This page explains how to find and request those records.
McMullen County Overview
McMullen County District Clerk
The McMullen County District Clerk maintains all felony case records for the county. The office is at the McMullen County Courthouse in Tilden, Texas. Staff can search for cases, retrieve copies, and certify records on request. All felony indictments, motions, judgments, and court orders from the district court are filed and indexed through this office.
McMullen County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, with fewer than 1,000 residents. Tilden, the county seat, is a very small community in South Texas between Laredo and San Antonio. Because the county is so small, the clerk's office may have limited hours or staffing. It is strongly recommended to call ahead before visiting in person.
Copy fees follow the Texas schedule: $1 per page for plain copies, $5 per document for certification. A search fee may apply for name searches. For mail requests, include the defendant's name, approximate case year, and cause number if available, along with a check or money order payable to McMullen County.
The 36th District Court serves McMullen County along with Aransas, Bee, Live Oak, and San Patricio Counties. Court dates in McMullen County occur when the judge is scheduled to sit there. The District Clerk can tell you the current schedule.
36th District Court and McMullen County Felony Cases
The 36th District Court handles all felony criminal cases in McMullen County. This court rotates among five counties in its judicial district: Aransas, Bee, Live Oak, McMullen, and San Patricio. A calendar showing when the court sits in each county is managed by the district courts office. The District Clerk in Tilden keeps records of all McMullen County cases regardless of when hearings are held.
Texas law classifies felonies from the most serious to the least: capital (death or life), first-degree (5 to 99 years or life), second-degree (2 to 20 years), third-degree (2 to 10 years), and state jail (180 days to 2 years). All levels are handled by the district court, and the District Clerk records and maintains all resulting documents.
Because the court serves multiple counties, felony case scheduling in McMullen County depends on the court's rotation. If you need to know when the next court date is for a pending case, contact the District Clerk's office in Tilden or check the statewide re:SearchTX system for upcoming scheduled events.
Searching McMullen County Felony Records Online
The re:SearchTX portal covers all Texas counties including McMullen. This free system lets you search by defendant name or cause number. Results include case type, parties, docket history, and status. For a very small county like McMullen, the number of cases in the system will be limited, but current and recent cases should appear. Older cases from before digital migration may not be in the online system.
If your search does not return results, contact the District Clerk directly. Staff can run manual searches on older paper indexes and pull files from storage. Given the small size of the county, locating a specific case may be quicker than in a larger county, but calling ahead ensures you are prepared for the process.
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service provides statewide criminal history searches. A name search costs $3. Results draw from the statewide DPS database, which includes all Texas counties. For official purposes, fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and required in some settings.
Note: McMullen County has one of the smallest populations in Texas, so the volume of felony records is low. Online databases may be limited for this county. The District Clerk's office in Tilden is the most reliable source.
Arrest Records and the McMullen County Sheriff
The McMullen County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and manages the county jail. Felony arrests create booking records that are submitted to the Texas DPS criminal history database. Arrest records are generally public under the Texas Public Information Act.
Submit a written public information request to the Sheriff's Office to get arrest records. Under Government Code Chapter 552, the agency has 10 business days to respond. Records tied to active investigations may be withheld with written notice.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search covers all state prison inmates. People convicted in McMullen County who are serving state prison sentences appear in this database. Search by name or TDCJ number. Results include facility, offense, and release date.
Expunctions and Nondisclosure
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, a person may be eligible to expunge a felony arrest record if the case was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or was not prosecuted within the statute of limitations. Expunction requires all agencies to permanently destroy the records. The petition is filed in the 36th District Court when it is sitting in McMullen County.
Nondisclosure orders are available for some deferred adjudication cases after successful discharge. This seals the record from public view but does not destroy it. Certain serious offenses are excluded from eligibility. Official forms are at txcourts.gov and free self-help resources are at texaslawhelp.org.
Statewide Resources
The Texas Sex Offender Registry can be searched by county, city, zip code, or name. Registered offenders with McMullen County addresses appear here. The registry is managed by the Texas DPS and is free.
The Texas Attorney General Open Government page explains public information rights and handles disputes about denied requests. The hotline is (877) OPEN-TEX. All Texas counties must respond to public information requests under Chapter 552.
The Texas Judicial Branch at txcourts.gov has court forms, rules, and general court guidance. TexasCourtHelp.org provides plain-language guides on navigating Texas criminal courts without a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
McMullen County is in South Texas near the Brush Country. Felony records for neighboring counties are available through their county pages.