Criminal records in Grimes County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. GrimesCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Grimes County. You can also search through the county's official court record portals, the District Clerk's office, the County Clerk's office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime Records Division.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grimes County
You have several options for searching criminal records in Grimes County. Here is what you need to get started and how each method works.
What You Need to Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- Offense type or approximate date range (optional but useful)
Online Search Methods
- GrimesCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information tied to Grimes County criminal cases.
- Grimes County Court Records Online — The county's official website links to a statewide e-filing portal that lets you search across all 254 Texas counties for e-filed cases and documents from 2016 through today.
- Grimes County Official Record Search — The County Clerk's public search portal covers property and official records. While primarily a property records tool, it may contain related filings.
- Texas Department of Public Safety — The Crime Records Division maintains the state's criminal history repository. You can request a name-based criminal history search through their online system for a fee.
In-Person Search
Visit the Grimes County Justice Center, where all court cases are held. The District Clerk maintains felony criminal case files from the 12th and 506th Judicial District Courts. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor criminal records from the County Court.
The Justice of the Peace Courts handle Class C misdemeanor criminal cases and are also open for criminal hearings.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal records to the District Clerk's office or the County Clerk's office at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, case number if available, and a return address. For statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Grimes County also accepts open records requests — call 936-873-4410 for assistance locating a specific record.
Search Grimes County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Texas case numbers generally follow a format assigned by the filing court and include elements that identify the case type and year.
A typical Texas case number may look like this:
- Prefix or letter code — indicates the court level or case type (e.g., "CR" for criminal)
- Year digits — the two- or four-digit year the case was filed
- Sequential number — a number assigned in the order the case was filed
For example, a case number like CR-2024-00123 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2024. The exact format can vary between the District Court, County Court, and Justice of the Peace Courts in Grimes County.
Enter the full case number into the county's online court records search portal to pull up the case directly. If searching in person, provide the case number to the clerk for faster retrieval. Partial case numbers may not return results — use the complete number whenever possible.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grimes County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Texas Penal Code section or other statute the defendant is charged under (e.g., Penal Code § 22.01 for assault) |
| Charge description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (capital, first through third degree, state jail felony), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be upgraded, reduced, or modified by the prosecutor before or during trial |
Case Status
- Pending — The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All proceedings and obligations (such as sentencing or probation) are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial hearing — Motions, plea negotiations, and procedural matters are addressed
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The case was dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor chose not to pursue the case |
| Deferred adjudication | The defendant is placed on community supervision; if completed successfully, the case may be dismissed (common in Texas) |
| Acquitted | A formal finding of not guilty |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grimes County
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official seal and signature, making them acceptable for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
- Felony criminal records: Contact the Grimes County District Clerk, who maintains all district court criminal case files.
- Misdemeanor criminal records: Contact the Grimes County Clerk's Office, which maintains county court records dating back to 1893.
- Statewide criminal history: Submit a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the appropriate clerk's office at the Grimes County Justice Center during business hours.
- By mail — Send a written request to the clerk's office with the defendant's name, case number (if known), the specific records needed, and your return address.
- Online (open records) — Grimes County accepts open records requests through their website. You can create an account to print or download records once they are made available.
What You Need
- Valid government-issued photo identification (for in-person requests)
- Full name of the individual whose records are being requested
- Case number, if available
- Payment for applicable fees
Contact Information
Grimes County District Clerk
Grimes County Clerk's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grimes County
Fees for criminal record copies in Texas are governed by the Texas Local Government Code and the Government Code. Below are standard fees that generally apply in Grimes County.
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copies (per page) | $1.00 for the first page; $0.25 for each additional page | Texas Local Government Code § 118.052 |
| Certified copy fee | $5.00 per document (in addition to per-page copy costs) | Texas Local Government Code § 118.052 |
| Name-based criminal history (Texas DPS) | $3.00 per search | Texas Government Code § 411.0845 |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history (Texas DPS) | Varies; typically $24.95 or more depending on the service provider | Texas Government Code § 411.088 |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume and complexity of the request.
- Mail requests: Typically processed within 5–10 business days after receipt, plus mailing time.
- Texas DPS online criminal history: Name-based results are usually available within minutes of submitting the request online.
- Open records requests: Under the Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552), governmental bodies must respond promptly, generally within 10 business days.
If paying by debit or credit card at county offices, a convenience fee of no less than $3 may be assessed. Contact the appropriate clerk's office to confirm current fees before submitting your request.