Falls County Criminal Records

Falls County criminal records are filed with the District Clerk and County Clerk in Marlin, the county seat of this Central Texas county situated along the Brazos River southeast of Waco. The District Clerk handles felony case files in the 82nd District Court. Misdemeanor records are with the County Clerk at the Falls County Courthouse in Marlin. Both offices maintain records going back decades and handle searches by name or case number. Falls County is a smaller rural county, so the case volume is modest. That said, all criminal filings in the county funnel through the Marlin courthouse. Arrest and booking records are separate and come from the Falls County Sheriff's Office. Court case outcomes and charges are found at the clerk offices, not the Sheriff's Office.

Falls County District Clerk

The Falls County District Clerk holds all felony criminal case records filed in the county. Charges handled here include drug offenses, aggravated assault, theft, and other serious crimes. The clerk keeps the full case file from indictment through final disposition, including motions, plea documents, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. All records are open to the public during office hours.

You can search Falls County criminal records in person at the courthouse in Marlin. The clerk's office searches by name or case number. Staff can pull certified copies on request. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge set by state law.

The Falls County official website at co.falls.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 Falls County felony case records. You can search by party name across multiple Texas courts without a trip to Marlin. Documents cost 10 cents per page, with a $6 cap per document.

Falls County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Falls County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal records from the county court. 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 Falls County.

The County Clerk's office is at the same courthouse in Marlin. Records are open for public inspection, and staff can pull certified copies. Felonies go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanors go to the County Clerk. Some cases may also be in the statewide TOPICs system.

Falls County Arrest Records

The Falls 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 with the person's name, date of birth, charges at booking, bond amount, and booking date. These records are separate from court case files but relate to the same criminal matter.

Contact the Falls County Sheriff's Office at (254) 883-1431. Requests for arrest records can be made in person or by mail. Keep in mind that an arrest record only reflects what was alleged at the time of booking. The District Clerk's case file shows the final outcome. Always check both sources if you need a full picture of a criminal matter in Falls County.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Falls County

Falls County criminal records feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. When Falls County courts report convictions or deferred adjudications to DPS, those records appear in the statewide database. 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 and dismissed cases do not appear in public DPS results. You can also check the Texas Sex Offender Registry for Falls County residents by name or zip code.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Falls 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 Falls County arrests, that means the 82nd District Court in Marlin. Once granted, all agencies holding records on that arrest must destroy their copies.

If expunction is not available, you may seek an order of nondisclosure 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 Falls County District Clerk can tell you what forms apply and what fees to expect.

Cities in Falls County

Marlin is the county seat and largest city in Falls County. All felony criminal cases from cities across Falls County are filed in the 82nd District Court in Marlin.

Nearby Counties

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