Ward County Criminal Records

Ward County criminal records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Monahans, the county seat. If you need to find a felony or misdemeanor case, look up what charges were filed, or check how a case was resolved in Ward County, both clerk offices hold those files and handle public records requests. The District Clerk is the office for felony case files from the district court, and the County Clerk keeps misdemeanor records. Arrest records come from the Ward County Sheriff's Office. Monahans is in far West Texas in the Permian Basin oil region, and the courthouse there is the central filing location for all criminal cases in Ward County.

Ward County District Clerk

The Ward County District Clerk keeps all felony criminal case records in the county. Felony charges can include assault, drug offenses, theft over a set amount, and other serious crimes. The clerk holds the full file from indictment through final judgment, including motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Records are open to the public during office hours.

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

The Ward County official website at co.ward.tx.us links to the District Clerk and other county offices. Use it to confirm current hours and procedures for requesting criminal case records.

The statewide re:SearchTX system covers Ward County felony case records. You can search by party name across multiple Texas courts. Documents cost 10 cents per page to download, with a $6 cap per document.

Ward County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Ward County Clerk handles misdemeanor criminal records from the county court. Class A and Class B misdemeanors are filed here, including 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 Ward County.

The County Clerk's office is at the courthouse in Monahans at (432) 943-2091. Records are available for public inspection. Felonies go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanors go to the County Clerk. Both are in the same courthouse building.

Ward County Arrest Records

The Ward County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records and jail booking data. When someone is booked into the county jail, the Sheriff's Office creates a record with the person's name, date of birth, charges at booking, bond amount, and booking date.

You can contact the Ward County Sheriff's Office at (432) 943-2213. Requests for arrest records can be made in person or by mail. An arrest record only reflects what was alleged at booking. The person may not have been charged, or charges may have been dropped. The District Clerk's case file shows the final outcome.

Arrest records in Ward County are public records under Texas law, but some details may be withheld if a case is active or involves certain protected categories.

Texas DPS Criminal History - Ward County

Ward County criminal records feed into the Texas DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. When Ward County courts report convictions or deferred adjudications to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 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, dismissed cases, and sealed records do not appear. Fingerprint-based searches are available through IdentoGO under the DPS FAST program.

For county-level case details in Ward County, the District Clerk's office in Monahans has more specific information. Use both sources together for a thorough records check.

You can also check the Texas Sex Offender Registry for Ward County residents.

What Ward County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal records in Ward County can include a range of documents depending on case type and stage. Felony case files at 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 usually 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. Ward County arrest records are available through the Sheriff's Office by request.

Court case records show legal outcomes. Arrest records show what was alleged. The DPS CCH shows the consolidated conviction history. For detailed court documents, the District Clerk in Monahans is the right starting point for Ward County felony records.

Expunction and Nondisclosure in Ward 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 Ward County arrests, that means the district court in Monahans.

Qualifying situations include acquittals, pardons, identity theft cases, and some dismissals. 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 Ward County District Clerk can tell you what forms apply and what fees to expect.

Cities in Ward County

Monahans is the county seat and the main city in Ward County. All felony criminal cases from across the county are filed in the Ward County District Court in Monahans.

Nearby Counties

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