Hays County Criminal Records

Hays County criminal records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk at the courthouse in San Marcos, the county seat between Austin and San Antonio. The District Clerk handles felony case files from the 22nd District Court, and the County Clerk keeps misdemeanor records from the county court. Hays County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas for years, and both clerk offices process a high volume of cases as a result. If you need to find a criminal case in Hays County, look up charges, or check a court outcome, those two offices are where you start. The Hays County Sheriff's Office holds arrest and booking records for the county.

Hays County District Clerk

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

You can search Hays County criminal records in person at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos. The clerk's office searches by name or case number. Staff can pull case files and certified copies on request. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge set by state law. Hays County also offers online case lookup through the court's website.

The Hays County official website at hayscountytx.com links to the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff departments. Check the site for current hours and any updates to copy request procedures.

The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Hays County district court cases. You can search by party name across multiple Texas courts remotely. Documents cost 10 cents per page to download, with a $6 cap per document.

Hays County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Hays County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal records from the county courts 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 Hays County.

The County Clerk is located at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos. Records are available 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 appear in the statewide TOPICs system.

Hays County Arrest Records

The Hays 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 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.

You can contact the Hays County Sheriff's Office at (512) 393-4600. Requests for arrest records can be made in person or by mail. The Sheriff handles arrests made by county deputies. City police agencies in Hays County also book through the county system for felony charges. An arrest record only shows what was alleged at booking. The District Clerk's case file shows the final outcome.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Hays County

Hays County criminal records feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. When Hays 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 searchable 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 show up in public results. You can also check the Texas Sex Offender Registry for Hays County residents.

What Hays County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal records in Hays County can include a range of documents depending on the case type. Felony case files held by the District Clerk typically contain the indictment, 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 usually shorter.

Arrest records from the Sheriff 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 San Marcos is the right starting point for Hays County felony records. Given the county's rapid growth, case volumes have increased significantly in recent years.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Hays 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 qualifying cases. You file the petition in the district court of the county where the arrest happened. For Hays County arrests, that means the 22nd District Court in San Marcos. 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 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 Hays County District Clerk can tell you what forms apply and what fees to expect.

Cities in Hays County

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

Nearby Counties

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