Search Ellis County Criminal Records

Ellis County criminal records are kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Waxahachie, the county seat located just south of Dallas in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. The District Clerk manages felony case files from the district courts in Waxahachie. The County Clerk holds misdemeanor records from the county criminal court. As Ellis County has grown with Dallas-area sprawl, the volume of criminal filings has increased. If you want to look up a case, find charges, or check a court outcome, both clerk offices at the Waxahachie courthouse are where to go. Arrest and booking records come from the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. Those records are separate from what the clerk offices maintain but often tie back to the same cases.

Ellis County District Clerk

The Ellis County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal case records filed in the county. Felony charges can include robbery, aggravated assault, drug manufacturing, murder, and other serious offenses. The clerk holds the full case file from initial indictment through final disposition, including plea documents, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. Records are open to the public during office hours.

You can search Ellis County criminal records in person at the courthouse in Waxahachie. The clerk's office searches by name or case number. Staff can help locate case files and pull certified copies on request. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge set by state law. The courthouse is located on the downtown square in Waxahachie.

The Ellis County official website at co.ellis.tx.us links to the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff departments, all of which hold parts of the county's criminal records.

The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Ellis County felony case records. You can search by party name across multiple courts. Documents cost 10 cents per page to download, with a $6 cap per document. This is useful when you want to search without a trip to Waxahachie.

Ellis County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Ellis County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal records from the county court at law. Class A and Class B misdemeanors are filed here. These cases cover DWI, simple assault, petty theft, and possession of small amounts of controlled substances. The County Clerk holds charge information, plea records, and final dispositions for all misdemeanor cases in Ellis County.

The County Clerk's office is at the same courthouse in Waxahachie. You can reach the office by phone at (972) 825-5091. Records are open for public inspection, and staff can pull certified copies. If you are unsure 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.

Some Ellis County criminal cases may also appear in the statewide TOPICs system, which collects court data from counties across Texas.

Ellis County Arrest Records

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records and jail booking data for the county. When someone is arrested and booked into the county jail, the Sheriff creates a record that includes the person's name, date of birth, charges at booking, bond amount, and booking date. These records are separate from court case files, though both relate to the same criminal matter.

You can contact the Ellis County Sheriff's Office at (972) 937-6060. Requests for arrest records can be made in person or by mail. The Sheriff handles arrests made by county deputies. City police agencies in Ellis County also book through the county jail for felony charges. Keep in mind that an arrest record only shows what was alleged at the time of booking. The District Clerk's case file will show the final outcome.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Ellis County

Ellis County criminal records feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. When Ellis County courts report convictions or deferred adjudications to the Texas Department of Public Safety, those records appear in the statewide database. The CCH system pulls data from all 254 Texas counties into one index.

The DPS public name-based search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov costs $3 per search. Results only show convictions and deferred adjudications reported to DPS. Arrests without a conviction, dismissed cases, and sealed records do not appear. For a more complete search, fingerprint-based checks are available through IdentoGO under the DPS FAST program.

You can also check the Texas Sex Offender Registry for Ellis County residents. The registry is maintained by DPS and is searchable by name or zip code.

What Ellis County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal records in Ellis County can include a range of documents depending on the case type. Felony case files held by the District Clerk typically contain the indictment or information, motions filed by both sides, hearing notices, plea agreements, jury instructions if the case went to trial, the judgment, and sentencing documents. Misdemeanor files at the County Clerk are similar but generally shorter.

Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office contain booking information: name, date of birth, physical description, charges at booking, bond amount, and release date. For detailed court documents and docket entries, the District Clerk in Waxahachie is the right starting point for Ellis County felony records.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Ellis County

Texas law allows eligible people to have criminal records expunged or sealed. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 removes and destroys records for cases that qualify. You file the petition in the district court of the county where the arrest happened. For Ellis County arrests, that means the district court in Waxahachie.

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

Cities in Ellis County

Waxahachie is the county seat and the largest city in Ellis County. All felony criminal cases from cities across Ellis County are filed in the Ellis County District Courts in Waxahachie.

Nearby Counties

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