Lee County Criminal Records Search

Lee County criminal records are kept at the county courthouse in Giddings, which is the county seat. The District Clerk handles felony case files from the district court. The County Clerk holds misdemeanor records from the county court. If you want to search for a criminal case by name, look up charges, or find out what happened in a case, both offices are your primary sources. Arrest and booking records come from the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Giddings sits in Central Texas between Austin and Houston, and the courthouse is where all criminal filings for Lee County are processed and stored.

Lee County District Clerk

The Lee County District Clerk holds all felony criminal case records filed in the 21st Judicial District. Felony charges include aggravated assault, burglary, drug trafficking, robbery, and other serious offenses. The clerk maintains the full case file from indictment through final disposition, including motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Records are open to the public during office hours.

You can search Lee County felony records in person at the courthouse in Giddings. The clerk searches by name or case number and can pull certified copies on request. Certified copies carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge. Call (979) 542-3684 before visiting to confirm current hours and procedures.

The Lee County official website at co.lee.tx.us links to the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office. All three hold parts of the county's criminal records.

The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Lee County court records. You can search by party name without traveling to Giddings. Documents cost 10 cents per page with a $6 cap per document.

Lee County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Lee County Clerk holds misdemeanor criminal records from the county court. Class A and Class B misdemeanors are filed here. These cases include DWI, simple assault, theft, and minor drug possession. The clerk keeps charge data, plea records, and case outcomes for all misdemeanor filings in Lee County.

The County Clerk is at the same courthouse in Giddings. The charge type determines which office holds the file. Felonies go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanors go to the County Clerk. Call (979) 542-3684 to reach either office before you visit. Both are in the same building.

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

Lee County Arrest Records

The Lee 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's Office creates a record that includes the person's name, charges at booking, date of birth, bond amount, and booking date. These records are separate from court case files but relate to the same underlying event.

Contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office at (979) 542-2800. Requests for arrest records can be made in person or by mail. City police agencies in Lee County may also book through the county jail for felony charges. An arrest record only reflects what was alleged at booking. The District Clerk's case file shows the final court outcome.

Note: Arrest records in Lee County are public records under Texas law. Some details may be withheld for active cases or certain protected categories.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Lee County

Lee County criminal convictions feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. When Lee County courts report convictions or deferred adjudications to the Texas Department of Public Safety, those records enter the statewide database that covers all 254 Texas counties.

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

For county-level case detail in Lee County, the District Clerk in Giddings has more complete records on individual cases. Use both sources for a thorough check.

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

What Lee County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal records in Lee County include different documents depending on case type and stage. Felony files at the District Clerk typically contain the indictment, motions from both sides, plea agreements, the judgment, and sentencing orders. Trial case files also include jury instructions and the verdict. Misdemeanor files at the County Clerk are shorter in most cases.

Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office contain booking data: name, date of birth, physical description, charges at booking, bond amount, and release date. Court records show legal outcomes. Arrest records show what was alleged. The DPS CCH shows consolidated conviction history. For detailed case documents in Lee County, start with the District Clerk in Giddings.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Lee 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 took place. For Lee County arrests, that means the 21st District Court in Giddings. Once granted, all agencies holding records must destroy their copies.

Qualifying situations include acquittals, pardons, identity theft cases, and some dismissals. Not all dismissed cases qualify. If expunction is not available, nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Section 411 may apply for deferred adjudication cases. Nondisclosure seals records from public view but does not destroy them. Serious felonies and sex offenses do not qualify. The Lee County District Clerk can help you determine what applies to your situation and what fees to expect.

Cities in Lee County

Giddings is the county seat and largest city in Lee County. All felony criminal cases from across the county are filed in the district court in Giddings.

Nearby Counties

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