Galveston County Criminal Records
What Is Galveston County Criminal Records
Galveston County criminal records are official documents maintained by various county and state agencies that document the criminal history of individuals within Galveston County, Texas. These records are created and maintained pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.135 and related statutes that govern the collection and maintenance of criminal justice information.
Criminal records in Galveston County typically originate from the following sources:
- Arrests by local law enforcement agencies
- Court proceedings in the Galveston County District Courts and County Courts at Law
- Prosecutorial actions by the Galveston County District Attorney's Office
- Corrections data from the Galveston County Jail and Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Galveston County District Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of felony criminal case records, while the County Clerk maintains misdemeanor case records. Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Records Service maintains a comprehensive database of criminal history information for the entire state, including Galveston County.
Galveston County District Clerk's Office
600 59th Street, Suite 4001
Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 766-2424
Galveston County District Clerk
Galveston County Clerk's Office
722 Moody, 2nd Floor
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 766-2200
Galveston County Clerk
Are Criminal Records Public In Galveston County
Criminal records in Galveston County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are available to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
Members of the public may access the following types of criminal records:
- Court dockets and case indexes
- Criminal complaints and indictments
- Judgments and sentencing information
- Court hearing schedules and outcomes
- Arrest records (with certain limitations)
However, several important exceptions and restrictions apply to public access:
- Records sealed by court order pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.02
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions) as protected under Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Expunged records as provided by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55
- Certain victim information protected under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 57.02
- Records related to deferred adjudication after successful completion of probation
The Galveston County Justice Information Management System (JIMS) provides electronic access to many public criminal records. Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety maintains the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH), which contains statewide criminal history information accessible to authorized entities.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Galveston County in 2025
Individuals seeking criminal records in Galveston County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county has implemented enhanced digital access while maintaining traditional in-person services.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Galveston County District Clerk's Office
600 59th Street, Suite 4001
Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 766-2424
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When requesting criminal records in person, requestors should:
- Provide the full legal name of the subject
- Include any known aliases or name variations
- Provide date of birth when available
- Include case numbers if known
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (typically $5.00 per name search plus copying fees)
For felony cases, requests should be directed to the District Clerk's Office, while misdemeanor cases are handled by the County Clerk's Office. Requestors seeking comprehensive criminal history information may submit fingerprint-based background check requests through the Texas DPS Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) program.
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.135, certain criminal justice agencies and qualified entities may access more detailed criminal history information than is available to the general public.
How To Find Criminal Records in Galveston County Online?
Galveston County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person visits for many types of record searches.
The primary online resources include:
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Galveston County Records Search Portal: The county maintains a public access portal for searching court records, including criminal cases. Basic case information is available without registration, while detailed documents may require user registration and fees.
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Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service: The Texas DPS Crime Records Division offers online criminal history record checks for authorized purposes. This service provides statewide information that includes Galveston County cases.
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Galveston County District Clerk's Office Online Records: The District Clerk provides online access to felony case information through their website. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date.
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Galveston County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: Current jail records and inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office online portal.
When conducting online searches, users should note:
- Some records may require payment of statutory fees
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
- The most current case information may not be immediately available online
- Complex searches may still require assistance from clerk's office staff
Online access to criminal records is governed by the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records, including protections for sealed, expunged, or confidential information pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Can You Search Galveston County Criminal Records for Free?
Galveston County provides limited free access to basic criminal record information, though comprehensive searches typically involve fees established by Texas statutes and local regulations.
Free criminal record search options include:
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals available at the Galveston County District and County Clerk's offices provide free on-site access to basic case information. These terminals are available during regular business hours at no charge.
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Galveston County Court Dockets: Basic court docket information is publicly posted at courthouses and may be viewed without charge.
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Online Case Search Basic Information: The county's public records portal offers limited free searches for basic case information, though document retrieval typically requires payment.
Fee-based services provide more comprehensive information:
- Certified copies of criminal records: $5.00 per certification
- Document copies: $1.00 per page
- Name-based criminal history searches: $10.00 per name
- Fingerprint-based background checks through the Texas DPS Clearinghouse: $37.00
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees for public records must be reasonable and not exceed the actual cost of providing the information. Certain exemptions from fees may apply for indigent individuals or requests serving public interest purposes as defined in statute.
What's Included in a Galveston County Criminal Record?
Galveston County criminal records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county. These records are maintained in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and related statutes.
Standard components of a Galveston County criminal record include:
- Identifying Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, address history, and physical descriptors
- Arrest Data: Dates of arrests, arresting agencies, charges filed, and booking information
- Case Processing Details: Court appearances, hearing dates, continuances, and procedural actions
- Charging Documents: Complaints, information filings, or grand jury indictments
- Court Proceedings: Plea information, trial outcomes, and judicial rulings
- Disposition Information: Final case outcomes, including dismissals, acquittals, or convictions
- Sentencing Data: Imposed penalties, including incarceration, probation, fines, or alternative sanctions
- Post-Conviction Information: Probation/parole status, compliance records, and completion dates
Criminal records may also reference related case documents such as:
- Probable cause affidavits
- Witness statements (with appropriate redactions)
- Evidence inventories
- Court-ordered evaluations
- Victim impact statements (with appropriate redactions)
- Restitution orders
The comprehensiveness of available records varies based on case status, age of records, and applicable confidentiality provisions under Texas law.
What Are the Penalties for a Galveston County Criminal Trespass Charge?
Criminal trespass in Galveston County is prosecuted under Texas Penal Code § 30.05, which defines the offense as entering or remaining on property without effective consent of the owner and with notice that entry was forbidden or receiving notice to depart but failing to do so.
The penalties for criminal trespass in Galveston County are structured as follows:
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Class B Misdemeanor (standard criminal trespass):
- Maximum 180 days in county jail
- Fine up to $2,000
- Possible probation terms
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Class A Misdemeanor (if committed in a habitation, shelter center, or on a critical infrastructure facility):
- Maximum 1 year in county jail
- Fine up to $4,000
- Enhanced probation conditions
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Class C Misdemeanor (if committed on agricultural land within 100 feet of the boundary):
- Fine up to $500
- No jail time
Additional consequences may include:
- Court-ordered restitution for any property damage
- Community service requirements
- Protective orders prohibiting contact with property owners
- Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders
Prosecution of criminal trespass cases in Galveston County occurs through the County Courts at Law for misdemeanor charges. Cases are typically handled by the Galveston County District Attorney's Office:
Galveston County District Attorney's Office
600 59th Street, Suite 1001
Galveston, TX 77551
(409) 766-2355
Galveston County District Attorney
How Long Does Galveston County Keep Criminal Records?
Galveston County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission retention schedules and applicable state laws. These retention periods ensure the preservation of important criminal justice information while allowing for eventual disposition of older records.
Standard retention periods for Galveston County criminal records include:
- Misdemeanor Case Records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition, though many records are kept longer
- Felony Case Records: Retained for a minimum of 25 years after final disposition
- Capital Felony Records: Permanently maintained
- Arrest Records Without Prosecution: Generally retained for 5 years from date of arrest
- Jail Records: Booking and incarceration records typically maintained for 5 years after release
Certain factors may modify these retention periods:
- Records related to cases resulting in deferred adjudication may be subject to sealing after successful completion of probation terms
- Records ordered expunged by a court pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 are removed from public access and destroyed according to court order
- Records sealed under an order of nondisclosure remain maintained but with restricted access
- Historical cases of significant public interest may be preserved permanently
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service maintains criminal history information in the statewide repository indefinitely, though access restrictions may apply to older records or those subject to legal remedies such as expungement or nondisclosure orders.