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Anderson County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Anderson County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. AndersonTXCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The county's district clerk maintains felony criminal filings, while the county clerk handles misdemeanor records. The Anderson County Sheriff's Office also maintains arrest and jail records available through its records department.

How to Search Criminal Records in Anderson County

There are several ways to look up criminal records in Anderson County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.

Online Search Options

  1. AndersonTXCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal case data filed in Anderson County.
  2. Anderson County Courts Records Inquiry — The county's official public access portal lets you search criminal case records, civil and family case records, judgments, jail records, and bond records. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney.
  3. Texas DPS Crime Records — The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the state criminal history repository. You can request a criminal history report online through their Crime Records Division.
  4. TDCJ Offender Search — For individuals sentenced to state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search provides location, offense, and projected release date information.

In Person

Visit the Anderson County Courthouse to search records at the clerk's office. The District Clerk's office handles felony criminal case filings, while the County Clerk manages misdemeanor cases. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse.

Anderson County Courthouse
500 N Church StPalestine, TX 75801Phone: (903) 723-7403

By Mail or Written Request

Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk's office at the courthouse address above. For statewide criminal history checks, mail a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Include:

  • Full legal name of the subject
  • Date of birth (if known)
  • Any known case numbers
  • Your contact information and the purpose of the request
  • Payment for applicable fees

What You Need to Begin a Search

  • Full name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
  • Date of birth
  • Case number (if available)
  • SID number (for state-level TDCJ searches)

Search Anderson County Criminal Cases by Case Number

If you already have a case number, searching by it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. In Texas, criminal case numbers typically follow a format assigned by the filing clerk's office and may vary between courts.

Anderson County case numbers generally include:

  • A prefix or numeric code indicating the court type (e.g., district court vs. county court)
  • A sequential filing number assigned when the case is filed
  • A year indicator — often the last two digits of the filing year appear at the beginning or end of the number

For felony cases filed in district court, the number is assigned by the District Clerk. Misdemeanor cases filed in county court receive a separate numbering sequence from the County Clerk. Enter the case number exactly as it appears on court documents — including any dashes or letter prefixes — when using the county's public access system.

Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Anderson County

Charges

ElementDescription
Statute CodeThe Texas Penal Code section or other statute the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 22.01 for assault)
SeverityFelony (capital, first through third degree, state jail felony) or misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C)
Amended ChargesCharges may be reduced, upgraded, or changed by the prosecutor before or during trial
Multiple CountsA single case may list several charges; each count is tracked separately

Case Status

  • Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution
  • Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates may be set
  • Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
  • Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and post-judgment matters, are complete

Hearing Types

  • Arraignment — The defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea
  • Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
  • Pre-Trial — Motions, plea negotiations, and scheduling matters are addressed
  • Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
  • Sentencing — The court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
  • Review Hearing — Follow-up hearings for probation compliance or other post-disposition matters

Anderson County court dockets are available through the county website. Appeals from Anderson County go to the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler.

Court Results

  • Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
  • Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
  • Dismissed — The state dropped the charges
  • Nolle Prosequi — The prosecutor declined to pursue the case
  • Deferred Adjudication — The defendant is placed on community supervision; if completed successfully, the case may be eligible for nondisclosure

How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Anderson County

Which Office to Contact

  • Felony criminal records — Anderson County District Clerk
  • Misdemeanor criminal records — Anderson County Clerk
  • Arrest and jail records — Anderson County Sheriff's Office, Records Department
  • Statewide criminal history — Texas DPS Crime Records Division

How to Submit a Request

  1. In person — Visit the appropriate clerk's office at the Anderson County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
  2. By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number or defendant's full name and date of birth, along with payment, to the clerk's office.
  3. Online — Statewide criminal history reports can be requested through the Texas DPS Crime Records Division website.

Identification Required

  • Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
  • For your own criminal history from DPS: fingerprint submission may be required

Contact Information

Anderson County District Clerk

500 N Church St
Palestine, TX 75801Phone: (903) 723-7403

Anderson County Clerk

500 N Church St, Rm 10
Palestine, TX 75801Phone: (903) 723-7402

Anderson County Sheriff's Office — Records Department

1200 E. Lacy St
Palestine, TX 75801Phone: (903) 731-8214

Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Anderson County

Fees for criminal record copies in Texas are governed by the Texas Government Code and the Local Government Code. The following table reflects standard statutory rates. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current fees before submitting a request.

ServiceFeeAuthority
Standard copy (per page)$1.00Tex. Gov't Code § 51.318
Certified copy — clerk certification$5.00Tex. Gov't Code § 51.318
Name-based criminal history (DPS — public)$3.00Texas DPS fee schedule
Fingerprint-based criminal history (DPS)Varies; typically $24.95+Texas DPS fee schedule

Processing Times

  • In-person requests — Often available the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume of requests
  • Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
  • DPS online criminal history — Name-based results are typically returned within minutes; fingerprint-based checks may take several business days

Payment methods accepted at the clerk's offices may include cash, money order, or cashier's check. Call ahead to confirm whether personal checks or credit cards are accepted.