Find Tyler Criminal Records
Tyler criminal records are kept by the Smith County District Clerk and Smith County Clerk in Tyler, Texas. Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, so the courthouse is located in the city. Felony case files go through the District Clerk. Misdemeanor cases go through the County Clerk. If you need to look up a criminal charge, court disposition, or arrest from Tyler, both clerk offices are your starting point.
Tyler Overview
Smith County District Clerk in Tyler
The Smith County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal case records from Tyler and the rest of Smith County. Felony charges include things like aggravated assault, robbery, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses tried in district court. The District Clerk's office holds indictments, plea documents, judgments, and sentencing orders. Tyler is the county seat, so the office is right in the city at the Smith County Courthouse.
The Smith County website provides access to court records and case information. You can look up cases online or request copies in person. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Call ahead to confirm current fees before making the trip.
| Office | Smith County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 N. Broadway, Suite 204 Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Phone | (903) 590-4600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | smith-county.com |
The Smith County website provides court records, case lookups, and other public information for criminal matters in Tyler and surrounding communities.
How to Search Tyler Criminal Records
You have a few ways to search for criminal records from Tyler. The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Smith County district court cases. You can also do a DPS name-based search for $3. And you can go to the Smith County Courthouse in person to look up cases and get copies.
The re:SearchTX portal is free for basic lookups. Search by defendant name or cause number to find felony cases filed in Smith County. Results show party names, docket history, case type, and current status. You pay 10 cents per page if you want to download a document, with a cap of $6 per document.
The Texas DPS public search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov costs $3 and shows convictions and deferred adjudications from courts across Texas. It is good for a statewide overview. Keep in mind it does not show arrests that did not lead to conviction.
To search, have ready:
- Full legal name of the person
- Approximate filing year if known
- Cause number if you have it
Smith County also has local court search tools on its website. Check smith-county.com for any online case lookup options available through the county.
Tyler Police Department
Tyler PD handles police reports for incidents that happen within city limits. Police reports are not the same as court records. If you need an incident report from Tyler, go to the police department, not the District Clerk. The Tyler Police Department has a records division that processes public information requests under the Texas Public Information Act.
| Agency | Tyler Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 711 W. Ferguson Street Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Non-Emergency | (903) 531-1000 |
| Website | cityoftyler.org/police |
You can submit a records request online through the Tyler PD website or by visiting the department in person. Some reports from active investigations may be withheld or partially redacted.
Texas DPS Criminal History for Smith County
Smith County convictions and deferred adjudications are reported to the Texas DPS and become part of the statewide Computerized Criminal History system. You can search the CCH by name for $3 at the DPS public website. Results only show what courts have reported. Arrests that were dismissed or rejected do not show up in public results.
For background checks used in hiring or licensing, a fingerprint-based search through IdentoGO gives more complete results. Call 1-888-467-2080 or schedule online through the IdentoGO site. Fingerprint results are not available to the general public and are typically requested by employers or licensing agencies with permissible purpose.
For detailed case-level information from Tyler courts, the Smith County District Clerk and the re:SearchTX portal give you more information than the DPS name search.
Record Expunction in Smith County
Texas lets qualifying individuals have certain criminal records expunged or sealed. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, you can file a petition for expunction in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred. For Tyler-area arrests, that is Smith County District Court at the courthouse in Tyler.
Expunction can apply to acquittals, pardons, certain dismissed charges, and identity theft situations. If your case does not qualify, a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Section 411 may be an option after completing deferred adjudication for eligible offenses. Certain felonies and all sex offenses do not qualify for nondisclosure.
For legal help in the Tyler area, contact the Texas Bar lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. The texaslawhelp.org website has self-help guides on expunction and nondisclosure procedures and costs.
Smith County Criminal Records
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County. All felony and misdemeanor criminal cases from the city go through Smith County courts. For full details on the clerk offices, court procedures, and online access tools for Smith County, see the county criminal records page.