Find Criminal Records in Edinburg
Edinburg criminal records go through the Hidalgo County District Clerk since Edinburg is the county seat of Hidalgo County. All felony cases and serious misdemeanors filed in the county are handled at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in downtown Edinburg. The Edinburg Police Department handles local law enforcement, and the city has a municipal court for Class C misdemeanor matters. This page explains each office and how to search records from each system.
Edinburg Overview
How to Search Edinburg Criminal Records
The Hidalgo County District Clerk is the main office for criminal records in Edinburg. Since the courthouse is in Edinburg, you can search records in person at 100 N. Closner Boulevard or search online through the county records portal. Staff can look up cases by defendant name or cause number. Call (956) 318-2200 to ask about search options, fees, and what to bring before you visit.
The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Hidalgo County courts and is free to use. It shows party names, case status, and docket entries for public cases. It is a useful tool to check whether a case exists before going to the courthouse in person.
To search criminal records, have these ready:
- Full name of the defendant
- Cause number if you know it
- Approximate year the case was filed
Hidalgo County is one of the larger counties in South Texas and the court system handles a high volume of cases. In-person visits may require some wait time. Calling ahead to confirm availability of records and fees is a good step before making the trip.
Edinburg Police Department Records
The Edinburg Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. Arrests made by Edinburg PD flow into the Hidalgo County court system when formal charges are filed. If you need a police report for an incident in Edinburg, contact the department directly. The department's public records process can be found at cityofedinburg.com/police.
The Edinburg Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor cases. These are traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and minor offenses that carry fines only. Municipal court records are separate from the county court system. Contact the Edinburg Municipal Court for case lookups, payment information, and scheduling for Class C matters. These records will not appear in the Hidalgo County District Clerk system.
| Agency | Edinburg Police Department |
|---|---|
| Website | cityofedinburg.com/police |
| Municipal Court Scope | Class C misdemeanors only |
Hidalgo County District Clerk Records
The Hidalgo County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal records for Edinburg and the rest of the county. This covers drug offenses, violent crimes, property crimes above threshold amounts, and other serious charges. Class A and B misdemeanor cases go to the Hidalgo County Courts at Law, also located at the courthouse in Edinburg.
| Office | Hidalgo County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Closner Boulevard Edinburg, TX 78539 |
| Phone | (956) 318-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Hidalgo County Courthouse is in downtown Edinburg. Parking is available in the area. You will go through a security check at the entrance, so bring a valid photo ID. Certified copies of court documents require a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Call (956) 318-2200 to confirm current fees and what you need to bring before you visit. Mail requests are accepted but take longer than in-person requests.
Texas DPS Criminal History
The Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History system gathers conviction data from courts across the state, including Hidalgo County. When a Hidalgo County court enters a conviction or deferred adjudication, it reports to the statewide database. Search the public portal at publicsite.dps.texas.gov for $3 per name. The result covers all Texas counties at once.
This is a useful starting point for a statewide check. The DPS search does not include arrests without convictions or cases still in progress. For more detail on specific cases, use the Hidalgo County clerk portal or re:SearchTX. For official purposes like employment or licensing, a fingerprint-based search through IdentoGO at 1-888-467-2080 is the appropriate method. Locations in the Rio Grande Valley area are available for scheduling.
Expunction and Nondisclosure in Edinburg
Texas law allows some people to clear or seal criminal records. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 destroys records from qualifying cases. If you were arrested in Edinburg and your case was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or involved mistaken identity, you may be eligible. You file the petition in Hidalgo County where the arrest and case occurred.
If expunction does not apply, a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Section 411 may be an option. This seals the record so the public cannot see it. It is available after completing deferred adjudication for qualifying offenses. Waiting periods vary by offense type. Some misdemeanors allow immediate filing. Felonies require a five-year wait after completing probation. Violent offenses, sex crimes, and family violence cases are generally excluded.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid serves Hidalgo County and helps low-income residents with criminal record matters. Call (888) 988-9996. TexasLawHelp at texaslawhelp.org has free guides and forms. The State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 can refer you to an attorney in the Edinburg or McAllen area.
Hidalgo County Criminal Records
Edinburg is the county seat of Hidalgo County, and the Hidalgo County District Clerk right in downtown Edinburg handles all felony and serious misdemeanor cases for the area. For more on the county court system and how to access records, visit the Hidalgo County page.