Criminal records in San Patricio County, Texas, are available through several channels. SanPatricioCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the office of the county clerk. Below are step-by-step instructions on searching, requesting, and understanding criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in San Patricio
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- The person's full name (last name and first name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- SanPatricioCourt.us — enter the name or case number to find publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- re:SearchTX Portal — the County Clerk's Records Department collaborates with re:SearchTX for electronic access to court cases. Civil and family cases are already available; the office continues to expand access to older records predating the e-filing mandate.
- Criminal History Search via DPS — the Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search allows for a statewide name-based search. This is a paid service.
- TDCJ Inmate Information — if the person is serving time in a state prison, use the TDCJ online search.
- Sheriff's Office — check the detention status on the San Patricio County Sheriff's page via VINELink.
In-Person Visit
Records can be viewed directly at the courthouse. The District Clerk handles district court cases, including felonies. For misdemeanors, contact the County Court at Law, located at 400 W Sinton St., RM 109, Sinton, TX 78387.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the District Clerk or submit a public information request under the Texas Public Information Act. For an official statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Search San Patricio Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the fastest way to find a specific record. In Texas, criminal case numbers typically include several elements:
- Prefix or letter code — indicates the type of case (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases in district court)
- Filing year — a two- or four-digit number corresponding to the year the case was filed
- Sequential number — a unique ordinal number within the year
For example, a case might look like CR-23-12345, where "CR" indicates a criminal case, "23" is the year, and "12345" is the sequential number. Misdemeanor cases heard in the County Court at Law may have a different prefix.
Enter the full case number in the appropriate search field on the re:SearchTX portal or on SanPatricioCourt.us. Partial numbers sometimes work, but the full number provides an accurate result.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in San Patricio
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Texas Penal Code or other code under which the charges are filed |
| Severity Level | Felony (ranging from Capital to State Jail Felony), Misdemeanor (Class A, B, C) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or drop individual charges during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open and awaiting action
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings scheduled
- Disposed — the case is concluded (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are complete
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance before a judge, charges are read
- Pre-trial hearing — discussion of motions, possible plea deals
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty verdict
- Review hearing — a control hearing, such as for probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| No Contest / Nolo Contendere | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Deferred Adjudication | The court defers the verdict; if conditions are met, the case may be closed |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after substantive review |
Appeals from San Patricio County are heard by the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in San Patricio
Certified copies of criminal cases are issued by the office that is the custodian of the records. For felony cases, this is the District Clerk. Misdemeanor cases are kept by the County Clerk.
District Clerk
How to submit a request:
- By email — send a request to dcinfo@sanpatriciocountytx.gov with the case number or full name and date of birth
- By phone — call (361) 364-9377 (option 2) to verify record availability and cost
- In person — visit the office at the courthouse
- By mail — send a written request to the above address
A valid photo ID is usually required for identification. If you are requesting a record on behalf of another person, a notarized authorization may be needed.
County Clerk's Office
The County Clerk's Office under Gracie Alaniz-Gonzales provides access to records through public records search. Certified copies can be ordered in person or by mail.
State-Level Criminal History
For a complete criminal history of an individual, contact the Crime Records Division of Texas DPS. Additional information about the procedure and FAQs is provided by the Texas State Law Library.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in San Patricio
Fees are set according to the Texas Local Government Code and the county clerk's fee schedule.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 | Standard rate according to Texas Local Government Code §118.052 |
| Certification of copy | $5.00 | Per document; may vary depending on the type of record |
| Criminal history search via DPS (by name) | $3.00 | Online through the Texas DPS portal |
| Fingerprint check via DPS | Depends on the type of request | Contact the Crime Records Division for details |
Processing Time
- Online DPS search — results are usually available within minutes
- Requests to the District Clerk — the office recommends calling ahead to expedite processing; standard time is from a few business days to two weeks depending on the request volume
- Mail requests — add delivery time; complex requests or records predating electronic archiving may take longer
Verify exact fees directly with the clerk's office, as rates may be updated. Payment is typically accepted in cash, money order, or check; some offices also accept credit cards.