Criminal records in Fort Bend County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels. FortBendCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the county's official court case search system, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Records Division, the District Clerk's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety's statewide criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fort Bend
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Fort Bend County. What you need to get started depends on the method, but having a full legal name, date of birth, or case number will produce the most accurate results.
Online Search Options
- FortBendCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information, including criminal cases filed in Fort Bend County.
- Fort Bend County Odyssey Public Access — The county's official case search portal, powered by Tyler Technologies. Select "Criminal Case Records" to search by party name, case number, or attorney. This covers both felony and misdemeanor filings.
- Court Records Research page — Fort Bend County's central hub with links to felony records search, misdemeanor records search, and other court record tools.
- Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search — The Texas Department of Public Safety offers a statewide criminal history search. This returns records from across Texas, not just Fort Bend County.
- Jail Public Information Inquiry — Check current inmates booked into the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility by entering a name or booking number.
In Person
Visit the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Richmond. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
- County-level records: Submit a written request to the Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and the type of record you are requesting.
- Sheriff's Office records: The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office accepts public information requests for offense reports, criminal history checks, and related records.
- State criminal history: You can request a criminal history record from the Texas DPS Crime Records Division by mail. Requests under Texas Government Code § 411.135 require a completed form and applicable fee.
Search Fort Bend Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. In Texas, criminal case numbers typically follow a format assigned by the clerk's office at the time of filing.
Fort Bend County case numbers generally include:
- A numeric or alphanumeric prefix that may indicate the court number or case type
- A sequence number assigned in the order the case was filed
- Sometimes a two-digit year indicator
For example, a felony case might carry a prefix identifying the district court, followed by a sequential filing number. Misdemeanor cases filed in county courts at law use a separate numbering sequence.
Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court documents you have. Partial numbers may return no results or multiple matches. The Odyssey Public Access portal accepts case number searches under the criminal case records section.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fort Bend
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The specific section of the Texas Penal Code or other statute the defendant is charged under |
| Severity | Felony (capital, first through third degree, state jail felony) or misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C) |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be changed by the prosecutor — the amended charge replaces or modifies the initial filing |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting court action
- Active: Proceedings are underway
- Disposed: The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All court actions, including any post-judgment matters, are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Pre-trial hearing: Motions, plea negotiations, and scheduling matters are addressed
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: The court imposes punishment after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearings for probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results
- Guilty: The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty: The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: The prosecution dropped the case or the court dismissed it
- Deferred adjudication: Common in Texas — the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, but the court defers a finding of guilt pending completion of community supervision
- Nolle prosequi: The prosecutor chose not to pursue the case
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fort Bend
Certified copies carry an official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, or background checks. Different offices handle different types of records.
District Clerk's Office (Court Records)
The Fort Bend County District Clerk is the custodian of felony court records. The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor records from county courts at law.
- Identify the case and determine whether it is a felony (District Clerk) or misdemeanor (County Clerk).
- Visit the appropriate office in person or submit a written request by mail.
- Provide the case number, defendant name, and the specific documents you need certified.
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
- Pay the applicable certification and copy fees.
Sheriff's Office (Arrest and Offense Records)
The Sheriff's Office Records Division handles criminal history checks and copies of offense and incident reports. Submit requests in person or through the Sheriff's Office public information request process.
Texas DPS (Statewide Criminal History)
For a statewide criminal history report, submit a request through the Texas DPS Crime Records Services. You will need to provide identifying information and pay the required fee. Fingerprint-based searches are also available for a more thorough check.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fort Bend
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $1.00 per page | Texas Government Code § 51.318 |
| Certified court document copies | $5.00 for certification + $1.00 per page | Texas Government Code § 51.318 |
| Texas DPS name-based criminal history search | $3.00 | Texas DPS Crime Records Division |
| Texas DPS fingerprint-based criminal history | Varies (typically $24.95+) | Includes FBI check; processed through approved channelers |
| Sheriff's Office offense/incident report copies | Varies by length of report | Contact the Records Division for current pricing |
Processing Times
- Online searches: Results are typically immediate through the Odyssey Public Access portal and the DPS name-based search.
- In-person requests: Simple copy requests at the clerk's office are often fulfilled the same day. Certified copies may take one to several business days.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for county offices. Texas DPS mail requests may take longer depending on volume.
- Public information requests (Sheriff's Office): Under the Texas Public Information Act, agencies must respond within 10 business days, though complex requests may take additional time.