Find Medina County Felony Records
Medina County felony records are maintained by the District Clerk in Hondo, Texas, and cover all criminal cases filed in the county's district court. This page covers how to search, request, and obtain copies of those records.
Medina County Overview
Medina County District Clerk
The Medina County District Clerk is the official custodian of all felony court records in the county. The office is at the Medina County Courthouse in Hondo, Texas. Staff can search for cases by name or cause number, pull copies of court documents, and certify records on request. The District Clerk files and indexes all felony indictments, motions, orders, and judgments from the district court.
Medina County is west of San Antonio on US Highway 90. Hondo is the county seat, a community of roughly 9,000 people. The county has grown in recent decades as people have moved into the area south and west of San Antonio. The District Clerk's office handles felony cases for the county and is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Copy fees are $1 per page for plain copies and $5 per document for certified copies. A name search fee may apply. For mail requests, include the defendant's full name, approximate case year, cause number if available, and payment. Call ahead to confirm current hours and fees before visiting or mailing a request.
The Medina County official website provides contact information for county offices including the District Clerk.
38th District Court and Felony Jurisdiction
The 38th District Court serves Medina County and handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. The court has jurisdiction from the first hearing through sentencing and any post-conviction proceedings. All case files are maintained by the District Clerk in Hondo.
Under the Texas Penal Code, felonies range from capital (death or life) to state jail (180 days to 2 years). First-degree felonies bring 5 to 99 years or life. Second-degree felonies run 2 to 20 years. Third-degree felonies carry 2 to 10 years. All cases are handled by the 38th District Court and indexed by the District Clerk.
The 38th District Court also handles civil and family law cases in the county. For felony records specifically, the criminal docket is managed through the county's case system and is accessible via the statewide re:SearchTX portal. The portal shows scheduled hearings and case events for all district courts in Texas.
How to Search Medina County Felony Records
The re:SearchTX portal is the best free online tool for Medina County felony records. This statewide system covers all 254 Texas counties. Search by defendant name, cause number, or attorney. Results include case type, parties, filing date, docket events, and current status. Basic case information is free. Document images may require a registered account.
For in-person searches, visit the District Clerk's office at the Medina County Courthouse in Hondo. Public terminals may be available. Staff can also run name searches and pull copies. Older cases that predate electronic filing may require manual searches of paper indexes. Call ahead if you need records from many years ago.
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service offers statewide criminal history searches for $3 per name. Results come from the DPS criminal history database covering all Texas counties. Fingerprint-based searches are more precise and are required in some contexts. Both services are available through the DPS website.
Note: Always verify case information directly with the District Clerk when it will be used for any legal or official purpose.
Medina County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Medina County Sheriff's Office handles arrests, booking, and the county jail. Felony arrests create booking records that are submitted to the Texas DPS criminal history database. Arrest records held by the Sheriff's Office are generally public under the Texas Public Information Act.
To request arrest records or incident reports, submit a written public information request to the Sheriff's Office. Under Government Code Chapter 552, the agency has 10 business days to respond. Records tied to active investigations may be temporarily withheld with written notice stating the legal basis.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search shows state prison inmates. Medina County convictions resulting in state prison sentences appear in this database. Search by name, TDCJ number, or SID. Results include facility, sentence, and projected release date.
Expunctions and Nondisclosure in Medina County
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, a person may petition to expunge a felony arrest record when the case was dismissed, the person was acquitted, or no prosecution occurred within the time limit. Expunction orders require all agencies to permanently destroy the records. Petitions are filed in the 38th District Court in Medina County.
Orders of Nondisclosure are available for some deferred adjudication cases after successful discharge from supervision. This seals the record from public access but does not destroy it. Not all offenses qualify. Serious violent and sex offenses are excluded. Official petition forms are at txcourts.gov and free self-help guidance is at texaslawhelp.org.
Statewide Resources
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by county, zip code, or name. Registered sex offenders with Medina County addresses are listed in this database, which is managed by the Texas DPS and is free to search.
The Texas Attorney General Open Government page covers public records rights and handles disputes about denied requests. The Open Government Hotline is (877) OPEN-TEX. All county agencies in Texas must respond to public information requests under state law.
The Texas Judicial Branch website has court forms, rules, and procedures for all Texas courts. TexasCourtHelp.org has plain-language guides on criminal court steps and is helpful for people handling a case without an attorney.
Nearby Counties
Medina County is southwest of San Antonio and borders several other counties. Felony records for neighboring areas are available through their county pages.