Austin Criminal Records Lookup

Austin criminal records are handled by the Travis County court system, with the District Clerk overseeing felony cases and the County Clerk maintaining misdemeanor files. Austin's population of about 980,000 makes it the state capital and one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. The Travis County Courthouse at 1000 Guadalupe Street is the main courthouse for criminal proceedings. Online case searches, in-person requests, and mail requests are all options for getting Austin criminal record information.

How to Search Austin Criminal Records

The Travis County District Clerk provides online case access through traviscountytx.gov. You can search by defendant name or cause number. The system shows felony criminal cases filed in Travis County district courts, including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Basic searches are free. Certified copies cost a per-page fee plus certification charge payable to the clerk's office.

The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Travis County courts along with courts across the rest of Texas. It is useful for e-filed records and lets you check multiple counties in one search. Document downloads are 10 cents per page with a $6 cap per document. The platform is accessible to the public without a login.

Misdemeanor records for Austin are kept by the Travis County Clerk. The Travis County Clerk handles Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases filed in county courts at law. These are separate from felony records, which sit with the District Clerk. If you are researching a DWI, simple assault, or similar charge, the County Clerk is the right office to contact.

Court records that have been sealed or expunged do not show up in any public search. Online results reflect what is publicly accessible at the time of your search.

Austin Police Department Records

The Austin Police Department serves the city of Austin and handles arrests, incident reports, and booking records for offenses within city limits. APD headquarters is at 715 E. 8th Street in central Austin. You can find department information and submit public records requests through austintexas.gov/police.

The Austin Police Department website provides access to public information requests, crime mapping, and department resources for the city.

Austin Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor offenses including traffic violations and city ordinance matters. These cases do not carry jail time. Municipal Court is separate from the Travis County criminal courts. You can find municipal court information at austintexas.gov/courts.

The Austin Municipal Court site lets you look up Class C cases, pay fines, and find court locations and contact information.

An arrest record is not the same as a conviction. Austin Police arrest records reflect what was alleged at booking. The case may later be dismissed, reduced, or result in acquittal. The final outcome appears in the Travis County District or County Clerk's records, not the arrest report.

Travis County Court Records

Felony criminal cases from Austin are filed in Travis County district courts. The District Clerk at the Travis County Courthouse on Guadalupe Street maintains the official case files, including indictments, plea agreements, trial records, and sentencing orders. The District Clerk can be reached at (512) 854-9457.

Misdemeanor cases go to the Travis County courts at law. The County Clerk keeps those records. Class A misdemeanors carry up to a year in county jail. Class B misdemeanors carry up to 180 days. Common charges include DWI, drug possession in small amounts, and petty theft. Check with the right office based on what type of charge you need records for.

Texas DPS Criminal History

Travis County courts report convictions and deferred adjudications to the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History database. The DPS public name-based search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov lets you check Texas criminal history for $3 per search. It returns convictions and deferred adjudications reported to DPS from courts across all Texas counties.

Arrests that did not result in conviction do not appear in public DPS results. For a fuller record check, the fingerprint-based FAST search through IdentoGO is more complete. FAST is commonly used for employment screening, licensing, and adoption background checks. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 1-888-467-2080.

Since Austin is the state capital, many state agencies and licensing boards use the DPS system for background checks on employees and applicants. For Austin-specific case detail, the Travis County District Clerk portal gives you more information on individual cases than the DPS summary does.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Austin

Texas law provides a path to expunge or seal certain criminal records. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 can destroy arrest records, court files, and related documents. For arrests that happened in Austin, you file the expunction petition in a Travis County district court. The District Clerk at 1000 Guadalupe Street can provide the forms and fee information.

Qualifying cases include acquittals, pardons, identity theft, and certain dismissals. Not every dismissed case meets the standard. If expunction does not apply, a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Section 411 may seal the record. This option is available to people who completed deferred adjudication probation on eligible offenses. Serious felonies and all sex offenses cannot be sealed under nondisclosure.

Waiting periods depend on the offense. Some misdemeanor nondisclosure petitions can be filed right after probation ends. Most felony nondisclosures require a five-year wait after discharge. Lone Star Legal Aid in Austin provides free help to qualifying residents. The Austin Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at (512) 472-8303 can also refer you to a private attorney.

Travis County Criminal Records

All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases for Austin are filed in Travis County. The District Clerk and County Clerk maintain complete case records for the county.

Nearby Cities

These are major Texas cities near Austin with their own court systems.