Motley County Felony Records
Motley County felony records are held by the District Clerk in Matador, the county seat, and are available to the public through the courthouse or online via the statewide re:SearchTX portal.
Motley County Overview
Motley County District Clerk
Motley County is one of the least populated counties in Texas. The District Clerk's office in Matador handles all felony case filings for the county. Though small, the office keeps a complete record of all district court matters, including felony criminal cases. If you need to look up a case, request a copy of a document, or get a certified copy of a judgment, the District Clerk is your starting point.
The courthouse is in Matador. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Because the county is small and staffing is limited, it is a good idea to call ahead before making the trip. Standard Texas copy fees are $1 per page and $5 per document for certified copies. Mail requests are accepted. Send the full name on the record, a cause number or approximate year if known, your return address, and a check or money order for the anticipated fee.
For in-person visits, bring a photo ID. The clerk can search by name or cause number and make copies for you. Records in Motley County go back many decades, though older paper records may take more time to locate.
The Motley County official website provides contact information for county offices, including the District Clerk.
This site is the best starting point for confirming current contact details for the courthouse in Matador.
Felony Cases in Motley County
The 110th District Court serves Motley County along with several other counties in the region. The court holds sessions in Matador and handles all felony criminal cases filed in the county. Even in a small, rural county, the full range of Texas felony charges can be filed, including drug offenses, theft, assault, and more. The District Clerk records every filing and keeps a complete case file for each matter.
Texas classifies felonies into five levels. Capital felonies carry the death penalty or life without parole. First-degree felonies run 5 to 99 years or life. Second-degree felonies bring 2 to 20 years. Third-degree felonies carry 2 to 10 years. State jail felonies result in 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility. These categories affect what sentence was possible and whether a person may later seek expunction or nondisclosure of the record. Expunction is available for arrests that did not end in conviction. Nondisclosure can seal some completed deferred adjudication cases. Both are handled through a petition to the district court under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Felony cases begin with arrest and booking. The grand jury reviews the case. If indicted, it enters the district court docket and the clerk starts a case file. That file is public once opened.
Searching Motley County Felony Records Online
The main free tool is re:SearchTX, the statewide court portal run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. It covers all 254 Texas counties including Motley. Register for a free account and use the Cases tab to search by name, cause number, or attorney. Basic case data is free. Document images may require a paid subscription through a third-party e-filing provider. Data refreshes nightly, so for the most current information on an active case, call the District Clerk.
The Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) allows name-based statewide searches for $3 per name. It covers all Class B and higher convictions and deferred adjudications reported to DPS from courts across Texas. A CRS Public Website Account is needed. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and are required for formal background check purposes.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search covers current state prison inmates. Search by name, TDCJ number, or SID to find anyone serving a state prison sentence from a Motley County case.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name or county and lists all registered offenders in Motley County.
Failure to register as a sex offender is a felony in Texas, which is why this registry connects directly to felony records in some cases.
Texas DPS and Statewide Criminal Records
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the statewide criminal history database. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, this data is regulated, but conviction records are generally public. Courts and law enforcement agencies across Texas, including in Motley County, report arrests and dispositions to this central system.
The Texas Public Information Act at Government Code Chapter 552 gives anyone the right to request public records from government offices. Court records fall under court rules rather than this act, but the practical result is similar: felony case documents are available to the public. If a request is delayed or denied, the Texas Attorney General Open Government office can help at (877) OPEN-TEX.
Motley County Sheriff and Jail Records
The Motley County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across the county and operates the jail in Matador. Booking records are separate from court records. For a recent arrest where no court case has been filed yet, the Sheriff's Office is the right contact. Once a case reaches the District Clerk, that office becomes the main source for court documents. Both offices are located in Matador.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Motley County and each maintains its own felony records through the local District Clerk.