Upshur County Felony Records
Upshur County felony records are filed and maintained by the District Clerk's office in Gilmer, Texas. If you need to find a criminal case, check charges, or get copies of court documents, this page covers the key offices and tools that can help. The District Clerk holds all felony case files for Upshur County District Court. State databases like re:SearchTX and the Texas DPS criminal history system let you search from home. For certified copies or in-person records review, you go to the courthouse on West Tyler Street in Gilmer. Most records from closed felony cases are public and open to anyone who asks.
Upshur County Overview
Upshur County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Gilmer is the primary custodian of Upshur County felony records. This office handles all case filings, maintains the docket, and provides copies of documents. Felony cases go through the District Court, while the County Clerk handles lower-level matters. Both offices share the same building on West Tyler Street.
The District Clerk can help you search by name or case number. You can request plain copies or certified copies of any public record in the file. Certified copies cost more but carry the clerk's seal, which is often needed for legal or official purposes. Staff at this office are familiar with records requests and can point you to the right case files.
| Office | Upshur County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Tyler St., Gilmer, TX 75644 |
| Phone | (903) 843-5030 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The County Clerk also maintains records at the same address. Their main number is (903) 843-5031. For County Court at Law cases and misdemeanor records, contact the County Clerk directly.
How to Find Upshur County Felony Records
You have a few good options for searching Upshur County felony records. The fastest free method is re:SearchTX, which pulls court data from all 254 Texas counties including Upshur. The Texas DPS criminal history database covers statewide felony and misdemeanor convictions. In-person visits to the courthouse let you see full case files and get official copies.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal is run by the Texas courts and lets you search for cases by name, cause number, or filing date. You can find Upshur County cases in the system along with docket entries and, in many cases, actual documents. Registration is free. Some document access may require a paid subscription.
The Texas DPS Crime Records Service maintains the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. You can run a name-based search through the CRS Public Website by creating an account and purchasing search credits. This system covers felony convictions statewide. A fingerprint-based search is more precise but name searches work for most purposes.
For people currently held in a state prison, the TDCJ Offender Search is useful. It shows current and prior offenses for individuals sentenced to state custody. You can search by name or TDCJ number and get details on the current facility and projected release date.
To search in person at the Upshur County courthouse, bring a photo ID. You can ask the clerk to look up a name or cause number. Staff will pull the case file and you can review documents at the counter. Ask for plain copies if you just need to read the file, or certified copies if you need an official version.
Note: re:SearchTX updates case data nightly, so very recent filings may not appear right away. For the most current status on a case, call the District Clerk directly at (903) 843-5030.
Upshur County Court System
Felony cases in Upshur County go through the District Court. Texas law classifies felonies as state jail felonies, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, and capital felonies. The severity of the charge determines sentencing ranges. All of these case types are filed and tracked through the District Clerk's office.
The County Court at Law in Upshur County handles Class A and Class B misdemeanors as well as civil cases under a certain dollar threshold. If you are looking for misdemeanor records rather than felony cases, contact the County Clerk at (903) 843-5031. They maintain those court files separately from the District Clerk's records.
Upshur County courts handle cases for residents throughout the county including Gilmer, Big Sandy, Ore City, and surrounding communities. All criminal case files are kept at the courthouse in Gilmer regardless of where the offense occurred within the county.
Texas State Felony Record Resources
Beyond the local courthouse, several state agencies maintain felony record data that covers Upshur County. These tools are useful for background checks, case tracking, and public record research. All of them are free to access at a basic level.
The Texas DPS operates the Computerized Criminal History system, which captures arrests and dispositions for Class B misdemeanors and above from every county in Texas. Upshur County arrests are reported to this system by local law enforcement and the courts. The system is updated as agencies submit new information.
The Texas Sex Offender Registry at sor.dps.texas.gov is a separate DPS database covering individuals required to register under Texas law. You can search by name, city, county, or address proximity. It shows conviction details, physical descriptions, and current registered addresses for offenders in Upshur County.
The Texas Office of Court Administration publishes annual statistical reports at txcourts.gov/oca. These reports break down case filings and dispositions by county and court type. They are useful for understanding case volume and court activity in Upshur County over time.
Note: The Texas State Law Library maintains a criminal records guide at guides.sll.texas.gov/criminal-records. It explains the difference between name-based and fingerprint-based searches and covers expunction procedures under Texas law.
Texas DPS Crime Records
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the central repository for criminal history records statewide. Upshur County arrest and conviction data flows into this system through local law enforcement and court reporting.
The DPS Crime Records Service page is the starting point for statewide criminal history searches in Texas, including records from Upshur County.
Texas Felony Law Overview
Texas felony classifications and procedures are set out in the Texas Penal Code and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 12, felonies range from state jail felonies (180 days to 2 years in state jail) up to capital felonies (life imprisonment or death). The specific class of a felony determines where a person is sentenced if convicted.
State jail felonies are the lowest category. They cover offenses like small-quantity drug possession and certain property crimes. Third-degree felonies include crimes like assault causing serious injury. Second-degree felonies cover robbery and sexual assault. First-degree felonies include aggravated robbery and murder in some cases. Capital offenses carry the most severe penalties under Texas law.
Access to felony records in Texas is governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act. Under this law, court records are presumed public unless a specific exception applies. Sealed records, juvenile records, and certain victim information may be restricted. Most felony case records at the Upshur County District Clerk are open for public review.
The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees the Public Information Act. If an agency denies a records request, you can seek a ruling from the AG. The Open Government Hotline is (877) OPEN-TEX. Most routine court record requests in Upshur County are fulfilled without any need to contact the AG.
Nearby Counties
Upshur County is in East Texas and borders several other counties. Each county has its own District Clerk and maintains separate felony records.