Temple Criminal Records Lookup
Temple criminal records are kept by the Bell County District Clerk for felony cases and the Bell County Clerk for misdemeanors. Temple is in Bell County in Central Texas, and all criminal court filings from the city go through the Bell County court system. The Bell County Courthouse is in Belton, the county seat, about 10 miles south of Temple. For police reports, contact the Temple Police Department directly.
Temple Overview
Bell County District Clerk
The Bell County District Clerk holds all felony criminal records for Temple and the rest of Bell County. Felony charges like aggravated assault, drug offenses, robbery, and other serious crimes go to district court. The office holds the full case file from indictment through sentencing. The Bell County Courthouse is in Belton, about 10 miles from Temple. You will need to go there for in-person searches and certified copies.
You can contact the Bell County District Clerk at (254) 933-5161 to ask about case lookup options and mail-in records requests. Bell County also has court information available online through its website at bellcounty.net.
| Office | Bell County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 E. Central Avenue, Room 205 Belton, TX 76513 |
| Phone | (254) 933-5161 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | bellcounty.net |
How to Search Temple Criminal Records
For Temple criminal records, you can use the statewide re:SearchTX portal, the Bell County website, or visit the courthouse in Belton. Each method gives you different access. Online tools are fine for basic case lookups; visiting in person lets you see the full file and get certified copies the same day.
The re:SearchTX system covers Bell County district court cases. Search by defendant name or cause number. Results show party names, docket history, and current case status at no charge. Document downloads cost 10 cents per page up to a $6 cap per file.
The Texas DPS name search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov costs $3 and returns convictions and deferred adjudications statewide. It does not include dismissed cases or arrests that did not lead to conviction.
For misdemeanor records, the Bell County Clerk handles Class A and B cases from county court. That office is also at the Bell County Courthouse in Belton.
When searching, have ready:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth or approximate filing year
- Cause number if available
Temple Police Department
The Temple Police Department keeps incident reports and arrest records for crimes that happen within Temple city limits. Police records are not court records. If you need a Temple incident or arrest report, contact TPD directly. The department processes public information requests under the Texas Public Information Act.
| Agency | Temple Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 3303 S. General Bruce Drive Temple, TX 76504 |
| Non-Emergency | (254) 298-5500 |
| Website | templetx.gov/police |
TPD handles public information requests for police records. You can submit requests in person or through the city's website. Reports tied to active investigations may be withheld or redacted until the case is resolved.
Temple has a Municipal Court for Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance cases. These records are separate from Bell County criminal court records and are managed by the city, not the county.
Texas DPS Criminal History for Bell County
Bell County courts submit convictions and deferred adjudications to the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History database. The public can search by name for $3 at the DPS public website. Results cover courts statewide. Dismissed charges and not-guilty verdicts are not included in what the public can access through the name search.
For fingerprint-based background checks, IdentoGO accesses both state and federal criminal history records. These checks are for employers, licensing agencies, and other entities with permissible purpose. Call 1-888-467-2080 or schedule online through IdentoGO.
For case-level detail on Temple criminal cases, the Bell County District Clerk and re:SearchTX give more information than the DPS check alone. Use DPS as a quick first step or when you need a statewide conviction overview.
Record Expunction in Bell County
Texas allows qualifying people to have criminal records expunged under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. For Temple-area arrests in Bell County, you file the expunction petition in Bell County District Court at the courthouse in Belton.
Expunction applies to acquittals, pardons, some dismissed charges, and identity theft situations. If a case does not 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 Temple and Bell County, call the Texas Bar lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the area and may assist qualifying individuals. The texaslawhelp.org site has guides, forms, and cost information for expunction and nondisclosure proceedings.
Bell County Criminal Records
Temple is in Bell County, and all local criminal cases go through Bell County courts in Belton. For full details on clerk offices, court divisions, and search tools for Bell County, see the county criminal records page.