Find Starr County Felony Records
Starr County felony records are filed at the District Clerk's office in Rio Grande City. The District Clerk maintains all criminal case files for felony charges that go through the Starr County District Court, and records are open to the public under Texas law.
Starr County Overview
Starr County District Clerk
The Starr County District Clerk maintains all felony case records filed in the county. The office is in the Starr County Courthouse in Rio Grande City. Staff can search records by defendant name or cause number and provide copies to the public. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Starr County is a border county on the Rio Grande in South Texas, between Laredo and McAllen. Rio Grande City serves as the county seat. The 229th Judicial District Court handles felony cases in Starr County. Drug trafficking and smuggling charges are prominent in many South Texas border counties due to proximity to major international crossing points. All types of felony charges move through this court, and the records are public.
| Office | Starr County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 E. Canales St., Rio Grande City, TX 78582 |
| Phone | (956) 716-4800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Website | co.starr.tx.us |
Starr County also has a separate County Clerk's office at the same address, phone (956) 716-4801, which handles misdemeanor and lower court records. Make sure you contact the correct office for the type of records you need. Felony records go to the District Clerk.
The Starr County website provides county government contact information. For court record searches, the re:SearchTX portal covers all Starr County felony cases.
Starr County at co.starr.tx.us. Reach the District Clerk at (956) 716-4800 for felony records requests in Rio Grande City.
How to Search Starr County Felony Records
Use re:SearchTX to search Starr County felony cases online. The statewide portal covers all 254 Texas counties and lets you search by party name or cause number. Case summaries and docket entries are free to view. Some document downloads may require a paid subscription.
For in-person access, go to the Starr County Courthouse at 401 E. Canales St. in Rio Grande City. The District Clerk staff can pull files and make copies. Standard fees apply for copies. Certified copies of court documents cost more than plain copies. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name of the person you are searching for.
Records can also be requested by mail. Send a written request to the Starr County District Clerk with the defendant's name, approximate case year, and payment for estimated copy fees. Include your contact information and return address.
For a statewide criminal history check, the Texas DPS crime records system covers all Texas counties. A name-based search shows arrests and dispositions statewide. This is useful if you want a broader view beyond Starr County.
TDCJ and State Prison Records for Starr County
When a Starr County felony conviction results in a state prison sentence, the offender enters the TDCJ system. The TDCJ Offender Search is free and public. You can search by name or TDCJ number to find anyone in Texas state prison or on state supervision. Results include offense type, sentence, and current location.
Starr County generates a significant number of drug trafficking cases given its location on the US-Mexico border. Federal agencies including DEA and Border Patrol are also active in the county, which means some criminal cases go through federal court rather than state District Court. Federal records are separate from the state court system and handled through the federal judiciary, not through the Starr County clerk's office.
For county jail information, contact the Starr County Sheriff's Office. People awaiting trial on state felony charges in Starr County are held at the county jail pending resolution of their cases.
Note: Federal drug trafficking cases are in federal court, not in the Starr County District Court. If a case was prosecuted federally, it will not appear in the Starr County clerk's records or in the TDCJ database.
Texas Felony Law in Starr County
All Starr County state felony cases follow the Texas Penal Code. Drug charges in Texas are classified based on the type and amount of the controlled substance. Large quantities can bring first-degree felony charges. Smaller amounts may be state jail felonies. The 229th District Court handles the full range of felony charges, from drug offenses to violent crimes to property crimes.
Most adult felony records are public. Texas Government Code Chapter 552 makes all government records presumptively public. Exceptions apply to juvenile records, sealed records, and expunged records. The Texas Attorney General enforces these rules and can issue rulings if access is improperly denied.
The Texas State Law Library guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/criminal-records covers how to find Texas court records, what is public, and how to request expunctions or nondisclosures. It is available free online.
Other Resources for Starr County Records
The Texas Sex Offender Registry lists registered sex offenders statewide. You can search specifically by Starr County to find registrants in the Rio Grande City area. Each record shows offense type, address, and risk level.
The Texas Attorney General's open government page explains Public Information Act rights. The AG's Open Government Hotline at (877) OPEN-TEX handles complaints and questions about records access.
Legal aid in South Texas is available through Texas RioGrande Legal Aid at trla.org. They serve the border region including Starr County and can help with civil matters related to criminal cases. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a criminal defense attorney in the Rio Grande City area.