Dawson County Criminal Records

Dawson County criminal records are kept by two separate offices in Lamesa, the county seat located in the South Plains region of West Texas. Felony cases go to the District Clerk, who maintains all filings from indictment through final disposition for the 106th Judicial District. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor cases filed in the county court. If you want to look up a case by name or case number, both offices in Lamesa are where those files live. Arrest and booking records are a separate matter and come from the Dawson County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office keeps booking logs that include charges, dates, and bond information. Court case outcomes are found at the clerk offices, not at the Sheriff's Office.

Dawson County District Clerk

The District Clerk in Lamesa holds all felony criminal case records for Dawson County. Cases filed in the 106th Judicial District Court include drug manufacturing and delivery charges, aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and other serious offenses. The clerk maintains the full file from initial indictment through sentencing and any district-level appeals.

You can search Dawson County criminal records by visiting the clerk's office at the Dawson County Courthouse in Lamesa. Staff can search by name or case number and pull certified copies on request. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge set under state law. Office hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

The Dawson County official website at co.dawson.tx.us provides contact and office information for the District Clerk and other county offices. Check it for current hours and record request procedures.

The Dawson County portal at dawsoncounty.org offers additional access to county office information and services for residents seeking court records in Lamesa.

Dawson County felony case records can also be searched through the statewide re:SearchTX system. Party name searches work across multiple Texas courts. Document downloads cost 10 cents per page, capped at $6 per document.

Dawson County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Dawson County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal records for cases filed in the county court. Class A and Class B misdemeanors heard here include DWI first offense, simple assault, theft under lower dollar amounts, and possession of small amounts of controlled substances. The clerk holds plea records and final dispositions for all misdemeanor cases in Dawson County.

The County Clerk is located at the Dawson County Courthouse in Lamesa. You can reach the office at (806) 872-3768. If you are not sure whether a case is a felony or misdemeanor, the charge type tells you which clerk holds the file. Felonies go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanors go to the County Clerk. Both offices are in the same courthouse building.

Some Dawson County court records may be accessible through the statewide TOPICs system, which aggregates data from participating Texas counties.

Dawson County Arrest Records

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and jail booking records for the county. When someone is booked into the county jail, a record is created showing the person's name, date of birth, charges at arrest, bond amount, and booking date. These records are separate from court case files but often relate to the same matter.

You can contact the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at (806) 872-7566. The Sheriff's records cover arrests made by county deputies. City police in Lamesa may also book through the county jail for felony charges. For arrests made specifically by city police, contact the Lamesa Police Department directly.

An arrest record reflects what was alleged at the time of booking and does not mean the person was convicted. The District Clerk's case file will show the final court outcome. Check both sources for a full picture of any criminal matter in Dawson County.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Dawson County

Dawson County criminal records feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. Convictions and deferred adjudications reported by Dawson County courts to the Texas Department of Public Safety appear in the statewide database. The CCH consolidates data from all 254 Texas counties.

The DPS public name-based search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov costs $3 per search. Results show convictions and deferred adjudications only. Dismissed cases, arrests without conviction, and sealed records do not appear. For fingerprint-based checks, IdentoGO provides DPS FAST program services.

The DPS search provides a quick statewide snapshot. For county-specific case details in Dawson County, the District Clerk in Lamesa has more complete information. Use both sources together for a thorough records check. The Texas Sex Offender Registry is also searchable by name or zip code for Dawson County residents.

What Dawson County Criminal Records Contain

Felony case files at the District Clerk typically include the indictment or information, motions from both sides, hearing dates and notices, plea agreements, jury instructions when a trial occurred, the judgment, and sentencing documents. Misdemeanor files at the County Clerk follow a similar structure but are generally shorter in length.

Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office include booking data: name, date of birth, physical description, charges at booking, bond amount, and release date. Mugshot availability depends on county policy. For jail and booking records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.

For detailed court documents, the District Clerk in Lamesa is the right place to start for Dawson County felony records. Court files show legal outcomes. Arrest records show what was alleged. The DPS CCH shows the consolidated statewide conviction history.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Dawson County

Texas law allows some people to have criminal records expunged or sealed. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 removes and destroys records for qualifying cases. You file the petition in the district court where the arrest occurred. For Dawson County arrests, that is the 106th District Court in Lamesa.

Qualifying situations include acquittals, pardons, identity theft cases, and some dismissals. Not every dismissed case qualifies. If expunction is not available, you may seek an order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Section 411 for cases ending in deferred adjudication. Nondisclosure seals records from public view but does not destroy them. Serious felonies and sex offenses do not qualify. The Dawson County District Clerk can explain what forms apply and what fees to expect.

Cities in Dawson County

Lamesa is the county seat and the largest city in Dawson County. All felony criminal cases from the county are filed in the 106th District Court in Lamesa.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dawson County. Each has its own District Clerk and court system for criminal records.