Access Odessa Criminal Records
Odessa criminal records are held by the Ector County District Clerk for felony cases and the Ector County Clerk for misdemeanors. Odessa is the county seat of Ector County in West Texas, so the courthouse is in the city. If you need to look up a criminal charge, find a court judgment, or request a certified copy of a criminal court document, start at the Ector County Courthouse on Texas Avenue.
Odessa Overview
Ector County District Clerk
The Ector County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal case records for Odessa and the rest of Ector County. Felony charges like drug offenses, aggravated assault, robbery, and other serious crimes go through district court. The office holds the complete case file from indictment through final sentencing. Odessa is the county seat, so the courthouse is in town on Texas Avenue.
You can contact the District Clerk at (432) 498-4290 to ask about case lookup options, records requests by mail, and current copy fees. For certified copies or to view physical case files, visit the Ector County Courthouse during business hours.
| Office | Ector County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 N. Grant Avenue, Room 111 Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Phone | (432) 498-4290 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.ector.tx.us |
How to Search Odessa Criminal Records
For Odessa criminal records, your main options are the statewide re:SearchTX portal, the Texas DPS name search, or an in-person visit to the Ector County Courthouse. Each method gives you a different level of access and detail.
The re:SearchTX system covers Ector County district court cases. Search by defendant name or cause number to find felony filings from Odessa. Results show party names, docket history, and case status at no charge. Document downloads run 10 cents per page with a $6 cap per file.
For a statewide conviction check, the Texas DPS name search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov costs $3. It returns convictions and deferred adjudications from courts across Texas. Dismissed charges and acquittals are not included in the public results.
For in-person searches, visit the Ector County Courthouse on Grant Avenue. Staff can pull cases by name or cause number and make copies. Call ahead at (432) 498-4290 to confirm what documents to bring and current fees.
When searching, have ready:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth if you have it
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Cause number if available
Odessa Police Department
The Odessa Police Department keeps incident reports and arrest records for crimes that happen within Odessa city limits. Police records are not court records. If you need a report from an Odessa arrest or incident, go to the police department, not the Ector County Courthouse. OPD handles public information requests under the Texas Public Information Act.
| Agency | Odessa Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 N. Grant Avenue Odessa, TX 79761 |
| Non-Emergency | (432) 333-3641 |
| Website | odessa-tx.gov/police |
You can submit records requests to OPD in person or through the city's public information process. Reports from active investigations may be withheld or partially redacted until the case is closed.
Odessa also has a Municipal Court for Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance cases. Those records are separate from Ector County criminal court records and are managed by the city.
Texas DPS Criminal History for Ector County
Ector County courts submit convictions and deferred adjudications to the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History database. The public can search CCH records by name for $3 at the DPS website. Results pull from courts statewide. Dismissed charges and not-guilty verdicts are not part of the public search results.
For fingerprint-based background checks, IdentoGO accesses both state and federal criminal history records. These searches are for employers, licensing boards, and others with permissible purpose. Call 1-888-467-2080 or go to the IdentoGO website to schedule an appointment.
For case-level detail, the Ector County District Clerk and re:SearchTX give more information than the DPS name check. Use the DPS check as a quick first step or when you need a statewide overview and do not have a specific cause number.
Record Expunction in Ector County
Texas allows qualifying individuals to have criminal records expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. For Odessa-area arrests in Ector County, you file the expunction petition in Ector County District Court at the courthouse on Grant Avenue in Odessa.
Expunction applies to acquittals, pardons, some dismissed charges, and identity theft situations. If the case doesn't qualify for expunction, a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Section 411 may be available for eligible deferred adjudication completions. Serious felonies and sex offenses do not qualify for nondisclosure.
For legal help in Odessa, call the Texas Bar lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. West Texas Legal Services may assist qualifying individuals with lower incomes. The texaslawhelp.org site has guides, forms, and cost information for expunction and nondisclosure in Texas courts.
Ector County Criminal Records
Odessa is the county seat of Ector County, and all local criminal cases go through Ector County courts. For full details on clerk offices, court divisions, and search tools for Ector County, see the county criminal records page.