Uvalde County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Uvalde County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Uvalde County may access publicly available information through official government channels, court repositories, and aggregator platforms such as UvaldeRecords.us. Criminal record searches in Uvalde County may return information related to arrests, charges, court dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and incarceration history, subject to applicable restrictions under Texas law.
Record categories that may be available through official and public sources include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case files
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Jail roster and inmate information
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Protective orders
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Uvalde County District Clerk and County Clerk maintain court case files for criminal proceedings heard in Uvalde County. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Uvalde County District Clerk
100 N. Getty St., Suite 1
Uvalde, TX 78801
Phone: (830) 278-6614
Uvalde County District Clerk
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for case lookups during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Uvalde County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current jail roster information. The public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records beyond in-person inspection.
Uvalde County Sheriff's Office
310 N. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX 78801
Phone: (830) 278-2151
Uvalde County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Texas Judicial Branch operates the Texas Courts Online case search portal, which allows members of the public to search for court case information by party name, case number, or attorney. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and select Uvalde County as the jurisdiction. Note that not all historical records are available online, and the portal does not substitute for a certified background check.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the state criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based criminal history request through the DPS Crime Records Service portal. Fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and are required for employment-related background checks. Processing times and fees vary; at present, a name-based public search costs $3.00 and a fingerprint-based search costs $15.00.
Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
Phone: (512) 424-2474
DPS Crime Records Service
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for criminal records may be submitted to the Uvalde County District Clerk or the Uvalde County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the type of record sought. Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, agencies are required to respond to public information requests promptly and no later than ten business days after receipt.
What Is Uvalde County Criminal Records
A criminal record is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In Texas, a criminal record is created when a person is arrested and booked into a jail facility, and it is subsequently updated as the case progresses through the court system.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that a person was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not establish criminal liability.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences of more than one year in a state prison. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, including fines and county jail sentences of up to one year.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under age 17 at the time of the offense are classified as juvenile records and are subject to confidentiality protections under Texas Family Code § 58.007. Juvenile records are sealed by operation of law in most circumstances.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding orders for arrest currently in effect, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Uvalde County include:
- Uvalde County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Uvalde County District Court and County Court at Law – court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- Texas Department of Public Safety – statewide criminal history repository
- Uvalde Police Department – local arrest and incident reports
Records may include charges filed, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, probation or parole conditions, and appeals.
Are Criminal Records Public In Uvalde County
Criminal records in Uvalde County are public records under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code Chapter 552, establishes that government records are presumed open to the public unless a specific exception applies. As stated in the Act, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, sentencing information, and booking records are accessible to members of the public. The following categories of records are subject to restriction or exemption:
- Juvenile records (sealed under Texas Family Code § 58.007)
- Records subject to a court-ordered expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by court order
The Texas Attorney General's Office provides guidance to governmental bodies and members of the public regarding the application of the Public Information Act. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Texas open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Uvalde County Online?
Official County Resources
The Uvalde County government website provides access to department contact pages and limited online resources. Court case information for district and county courts may be searched through the Texas Courts Online portal, which is maintained by the Office of Court Administration. Users may search by party name or case number and filter results by county and court type. The Uvalde County Sheriff's Office may publish a current jail roster on its official website, which reflects individuals currently in custody.
State-Level Resources
The Texas Department of Public Safety operates the Offender Search tool through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which allows searches of individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state prison. The DPS also maintains the Sex Offender Registry, which is publicly searchable by name and location.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Be aware that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public online databases
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating the mid-1990s are not fully digitized and may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute an official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Uvalde County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Texas Government Code § 552.271 provides that a governmental body may not charge a fee for the inspection of public records. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records and arrest logs at no cost during regular business hours at the Uvalde County District Clerk's office and the Uvalde County Sheriff's Office. Copying fees apply to reproductions of records.
2. Free Online Databases
The following portals are currently available at no cost:
- Texas Courts Online case search – court case information statewide
- Texas DPS Sex Offender Registry – sex offender registration records
- TDCJ Offender Search – state prison records
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Uvalde County Sheriff's Office at no charge for in-person inspection.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00 per page (plus certification fee) |
| Official state name-based background check | $3.00 |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $15.00 |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Varies |
Fee schedules are established under Texas Government Code § 552.261, which authorizes agencies to charge for the labor and materials involved in producing copies of public records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the governmental body.
What's Included in a Uvalde County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A criminal record maintained by Uvalde County or the Texas DPS may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, probation or parole conditions, and any appeals filed or decided.
Additional Record Types
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DWI/DUI adjudications
- Pending charges
Records NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under state law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion programs (where expunction has been granted)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may submit a challenge to the Texas DPS through the Crime Records Service. Accurate and complete records are essential for employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Uvalde County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Texas local government record retention schedules, established under the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, govern how long county agencies must retain criminal records. The Texas Local Government Records Act requires counties to follow approved retention schedules.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Permanent retention required
- Misdemeanor convictions: Permanent retention for Class A and B misdemeanors; Class C misdemeanor records retained for a minimum of five years
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of two years; may remain in state databases longer
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently to reflect the disposition, though the record shows no conviction
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 17 or upon completion of the court's jurisdiction; destruction timelines governed by Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently per state retention schedules
- The Uvalde County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for a minimum period established by the retention schedule
- The Texas DPS retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and verification, but the electronic record persists in state and county databases.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction removes the physical record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement. Expungement, available under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, orders the deletion or return of records from all agencies. Eligibility for expunction is limited to specific circumstances, including acquittals, dismissals, and certain first-time offenses. Even where a county destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless a court has ordered legal expungement.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not subject to Texas expunction orders.
Practical Implications
Prior convictions may appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing. Consumer reporting agencies are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain employment purposes, though convictions may be reported indefinitely for positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Texas may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record.