Search Shelby County Criminal Records

Shelby County criminal records are kept at the courthouse in Center, the county seat. The District Clerk handles felony case files for cases tried in district court, and the County Clerk holds misdemeanor records from the county court. If you want to find a criminal case in Shelby County, look up charges that were filed, or check on a court outcome, both clerk offices handle public requests. Arrest and booking data comes from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Center is in the Piney Woods of deep East Texas, near the Louisiana state line, and the courthouse there is the central point for all criminal filings in the county.

Shelby County District Clerk

The Shelby County District Clerk is the official keeper of all felony criminal case records in the county under the 273rd Judicial District. Felony charges include serious offenses like aggravated assault, burglary, drug delivery or manufacturing, robbery, and others. The clerk holds the full case file from indictment through final judgment. All felony records are public and available during courthouse hours in Center.

You can search records in person by name or case number. Staff pulls files and can prepare certified copies. Fees for certified copies include a per-page charge plus certification under state law. The courthouse is in downtown Center. For remote access, the statewide re:SearchTX system includes Shelby County felony records.

The Shelby County official website at co.shelby.tx.us provides contact and office information for the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff. Use the site to confirm current hours before visiting Center.

Shelby County felony records are searchable through the statewide re:SearchTX system by party name. Documents cost 10 cents per page to download, capped at $6 per document.

Shelby County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Shelby County Clerk holds misdemeanor criminal records from the county court. Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases are filed here. These include DWI, simple assault, minor theft, and small-scale possession charges. The County Clerk keeps charge documents, plea records, and final dispositions for all county court criminal cases.

The County Clerk's office is in the courthouse in Center. Phone is (936) 598-4171. Felony cases go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanor cases go to the County Clerk. Both offices are in the same courthouse building. Some records may also be accessible through the TOPICs system.

Shelby County Arrest Records

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records for the county. Booking records include name, date of birth, charges at arrest, bond amount, and booking date. These records differ from court case files but document the same criminal matter from the law enforcement side.

Contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at (936) 598-5600. Records can be requested in person or by mail in Center. City police in Center and other communities typically book through the county jail for felony charges. The Sheriff's Office processes arrests from unincorporated areas of the county.

Arrest records show only what was alleged at booking. The final court outcome may differ. The District Clerk's case file shows whether charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in conviction. Check both sources for a complete picture of any criminal matter in Shelby County.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Shelby County

Shelby County convictions and deferred adjudications feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. The CCH covers all 254 Texas counties and is the primary statewide criminal history database. Local courts are required to report conviction data to DPS.

The DPS public name-based search at publicsite.dps.texas.gov costs $3 per search. Only convictions and deferred adjudications appear. Dismissed cases and arrests without conviction are excluded. Fingerprint checks through IdentoGO offer more complete results. Also check the Texas Sex Offender Registry for Shelby County registrants by name or zip code.

What Shelby County Criminal Records Include

Felony case files at the District Clerk include indictment documents, motions, hearing records, plea agreements, judgments, and sentencing orders. Misdemeanor files at the County Clerk are similar but shorter in most cases. Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office contain booking data including name, date of birth, physical description, charges at arrest, bond amount, and release date.

Use all three sources together for a thorough records check. Court records show legal outcomes. Arrest records show initial allegations. DPS CCH shows statewide conviction history. For full case documents in Shelby County, start with the District Clerk in Center.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Shelby County

Texas law allows eligible people to expunge or seal criminal records. Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 removes and destroys qualifying records. The petition is filed in the district court where the arrest occurred. For Shelby County arrests, that is the 273rd District Court in Center. Once the order is granted, all agencies must destroy their copies.

Qualifying situations include acquittals, pardons, identity theft cases, and some dismissals. Not all dismissed cases qualify. An order of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Section 411 may apply for deferred adjudication cases. Serious felonies and sex offenses do not qualify. The Shelby County District Clerk can explain forms and fees for your situation.

Cities in Shelby County

Center is the county seat and largest city in Shelby County. All felony criminal cases from across the county are filed in the district courts in Center.

Nearby Counties

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