Fort Worth Criminal Records Search

Fort Worth criminal records are filed and maintained through the Tarrant County court system. The Tarrant County District Clerk handles felony cases for the approximately 935,000 residents of Fort Worth, while the County Clerk manages misdemeanor files. The main courthouse sits in downtown Fort Worth near the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center on West Belknap Street. Online access to case information is available through the Tarrant County courts portal, and in-person requests are handled at the clerk's offices on weekdays.

How to Search Fort Worth Criminal Records

The Tarrant County District Clerk's online case portal at tarrantcountytx.gov is the main tool for searching Fort Worth felony criminal records. You can look up cases by defendant name or cause number. Results show case parties, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. The search is free for basic lookups. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus certification charge.

The statewide re:SearchTX platform also covers Tarrant County courts. You can search for e-filed documents from multiple Texas courts in one search. Document downloads cost 10 cents per page, capped at $6 per document. re:SearchTX is a solid backup when you are not sure which county to search or want to cover multiple courts at once.

Misdemeanor records in Tarrant County are held by the County Clerk. The County Clerk's number is (817) 884-1195. For felonies, call the District Clerk at (817) 884-1400. These are two separate offices with separate filing systems. Searching the wrong one can mean missing records, so know the charge type before you call.

Records sealed by court order or expunged will not appear in online searches. Public case searches only show what is currently accessible to the public under Texas law.

Fort Worth Police Department Records

The Fort Worth Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city. FWPD processes arrests and maintains incident reports and booking records for offenses committed within city limits. The department headquarters is at 505 W. Felix Street in Fort Worth. You can find department resources, submit open records requests, and view crime data through fortworthtexas.gov/police.

The Fort Worth Police Department site provides access to open records request forms, department contacts, and public safety information.

Fort Worth Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor violations such as traffic offenses, code violations, and minor city ordinance matters. The Municipal Court is separate from the Tarrant County criminal courts. You can find municipal court information at fortworthtexas.gov/municipalcourt.

The Fort Worth Municipal Court page covers court locations, payment options, and how to look up Class C cases filed in the city.

Remember: an arrest record from Fort Worth Police does not mean a person was convicted. The arrest reflects allegations at the time of booking. The court case outcome, held by the District or County Clerk, is the official record of what happened legally.

Tarrant County Court Records

Felony criminal cases originating in Fort Worth are filed in Tarrant County district courts. The Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center at 401 W. Belknap is the main hub for criminal court proceedings in the county. The District Clerk holds indictments, plea documents, verdicts, and sentencing orders for all felony cases. You can reach the District Clerk at (817) 884-1400.

Misdemeanor criminal cases for Fort Worth go to the Tarrant County courts at law. The County Clerk maintains those files. Class A misdemeanors can carry up to a year in county jail. Class B misdemeanors carry up to 180 days. DWI, petty theft, and simple assault are common misdemeanor charges that flow through these courts. Make sure you contact the right office depending on what type of charge you are researching.

Texas DPS Criminal History

Tarrant County courts send conviction and deferred adjudication data to the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History database. This statewide system collects data from all 254 Texas counties. You can run a public name-based search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov for $3 per search. The results show convictions and deferred adjudications that courts have reported to DPS.

Arrests that did not result in conviction do not appear in public DPS results. If you need a fuller picture, the fingerprint-based FAST search through IdentoGO returns more complete criminal history. That service is used for employment background checks and professional licensing. Schedule an appointment online or call 1-888-467-2080. The cost is higher than the name-based search but covers more ground.

For Fort Worth-specific case detail, the Tarrant County District Clerk portal gives you more depth on individual cases than the DPS summary view. Use both together when doing a thorough check.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Fort Worth

Texas law allows eligible people to have criminal records expunged or sealed through the courts. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 can destroy arrest records, court files, and related documents. If you were arrested in Fort Worth, you file the expunction petition in a Tarrant County district court. The District Clerk at 401 W. Belknap can tell you the required forms and fees.

Cases that qualify for expunction include acquittals, pardons, identity theft, and certain dismissals. Not all dismissed charges meet the standard. If expunction is not available, a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Section 411 may seal the record from public view. This applies to people who completed deferred adjudication probation on qualifying offenses. Serious felonies and all sex offenses do not qualify for nondisclosure.

Waiting periods vary by offense type. Some misdemeanor nondisclosure petitions can be filed right after completing probation. Most felony nondisclosures require a five-year wait after discharge. Tarrant County Legal Aid at (817) 336-3943 provides free legal help to eligible residents. The Tarrant County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can also point you to a private attorney.

Tarrant County Criminal Records

All felony and misdemeanor cases for Fort Worth are filed in Tarrant County. The District Clerk and County Clerk hold the complete case records for the county.

Nearby Cities

These cities are in the greater DFW area and nearby counties.