Abilene Criminal Records
Abilene criminal records are kept by the Taylor County District Clerk, which handles all felony cases and most serious misdemeanors filed in Taylor County. Abilene is the county seat, so the courthouse is right in the city. You can search cases online through the Taylor County public records portal, or go in person to pull files and get certified copies. The Abilene Police Department handles local law enforcement, and the Abilene Municipal Court deals with Class C misdemeanor cases like traffic tickets and minor city ordinance violations. This page walks through each option and explains how to use them.
Abilene Overview
How to Search Abilene Criminal Records
The Taylor County District Clerk is your main starting point for Abilene criminal records. Abilene is the county seat of Taylor County, so all felony cases filed in the county are here. You can search online at the Taylor County website or walk into the courthouse at 300 Oak Street in downtown Abilene. Staff can pull records by defendant name or cause number.
The Taylor County website at taylorcountytexas.org provides access to court records and clerk information for Abilene area cases.
The statewide re:SearchTX portal also covers Taylor County courts. This system is free to search and gives you party names, case status, and docket entries for both district and county court cases. It is a good first step when you are not sure if a case exists or which court handled it.
To search, you need at least one of these:
- Full name of the defendant
- Cause number if you have it
- Approximate year the case was filed
For older records that may not be in the online system, a direct visit or written request to the District Clerk at (325) 674-1305 is the best route. Call ahead to ask about fees and what forms to bring.
Abilene Police Department Records
The Abilene Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. If you need a police report for an incident in Abilene, contact APD directly. Arrest records from Abilene PD cases flow into the Taylor County court system when charges are filed. The department's website at abilenetx.gov/police has information on public records requests.
The Abilene Police Department website at abilenetx.gov/police covers how to request reports and access public records for incidents in the city.
The Abilene Municipal Court is a separate system from the county courts. It handles Class C misdemeanors only. These are the lowest level of criminal charge under Texas law, mostly traffic violations and city ordinance matters. Municipal court records do not appear in the county or district court systems. To search municipal court records or ask about fines and cases, visit abilenetx.gov/courts or call the court directly.
| Agency | Abilene Police Department |
|---|---|
| Website | abilenetx.gov/police |
| Municipal Court | abilenetx.gov/courts |
| Municipal Court Scope | Class C misdemeanors only |
Taylor County District Clerk Records
The Taylor County District Clerk in Abilene maintains the official records for all felony criminal cases in the county. This includes indictments, plea records, jury trial outcomes, judgments, and sentencing documents. Class A and B misdemeanor cases go to the county courts at law, which are also managed at the Taylor County Courthouse.
| Office | Taylor County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Oak Street Abilene, TX 79602 |
| Phone | (325) 674-1305 |
| Website | taylorcountytexas.org |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Certified copies of court records cost more than plain copies. The clerk can tell you the exact per-page rate when you call. You can also request copies by mail if you cannot visit in person. Include a written request, a check for the estimated fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (325) 674-1305 first to confirm the process and current fees before mailing anything.
The Taylor County Courthouse is in downtown Abilene and is accessible by car. Parking is available nearby. You will go through a security checkpoint at the entrance, so bring a valid ID and leave any restricted items in your vehicle.
Texas DPS Criminal History
The Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History system pulls conviction data from courts across the state, including Taylor County. When a court in Abilene reports a conviction or deferred adjudication, it goes into this statewide database. You can search the public name-based system at publicsite.dps.texas.gov for $3 per search.
The DPS search is a fast way to check for Texas-wide convictions without going to individual county clerks. It will not show arrests that did not lead to convictions, and it may not have the most current case status for ongoing matters. For those details, the Taylor County clerk portal is more complete. If you need a certified criminal history for employment or licensing purposes, a fingerprint-based search through IdentoGO is the standard. Call 1-888-467-2080 to schedule an appointment.
Expunction and Nondisclosure in Abilene
Texas law gives people a way to clear certain criminal records. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 destroys records tied to qualifying cases. If you were arrested in Abilene and the case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or you were a victim of identity theft, you may be eligible. You file the petition in Taylor County since that is where the arrest took place.
If expunction does not apply to your case, a nondisclosure order can seal the record from public view under Texas Government Code Section 411. This typically applies to people who completed deferred adjudication. Not all offenses qualify. Violent crimes, family violence cases, and sex offenses are generally excluded. Waiting periods range from immediate eligibility for some misdemeanors up to five years for felonies.
West Texas Legal Services in Abilene helps eligible residents with low income. The State Bar of Texas referral line at (800) 252-9690 can connect you with a local attorney. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free step-by-step guides and official court forms for expunction petitions.
Taylor County Criminal Records
Abilene is in Taylor County, and the Taylor County District Clerk in downtown Abilene handles all felony criminal filings for the area. For more detail on the county court system, courthouse access, and search options, visit the Taylor County page.