Criminal records in Wichita County, Texas, are generally public documents accessible in several ways. WichitaCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official court systems, the Wichita Falls Police Records Division, and through the office of the district or county clerk. Law enforcement agencies and the DPS Texas Crime Records Division also handle requests for criminal history checks.
How to Search Criminal Records in Wichita
Start your search with WichitaCourt.us, where you can find publicly available information on court cases in Wichita County. You will need at least one of the following for the search:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Case number
Online Search
- Use the Texas court records portal through the re:SearchTX system on the txcourts.gov website — it covers district and county court cases.
- The Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety provides access to state-level criminal history checks. Requests can be submitted online through the FACT (Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas) portal.
- The Wichita Falls Municipal Court handles cases involving city ordinance violations and minor criminal offenses.
In Person
The Wichita County District Clerk's office maintains records of felonies and cases heard in the district court. Visit the courthouse in Wichita Falls and use the public access terminals. The County Clerk maintains cases that went through the county court — misdemeanors and some civil claims.
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be mailed to the district clerk's office or the Wichita Falls Public Information Department in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, and type of record requested. For a complete state-level criminal history, direct your request to the DPS Crime Records Division in Austin.
Search Wichita Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, the search becomes significantly more accurate. In Texas, case numbers typically consist of several elements:
- Year prefix — a two-digit or four-digit designation of the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 or 2024).
- Case type code — a letter designation indicating the category: CR (criminal), MIS (misdemeanor), F (felony), or similar variations depending on the specific court.
- Sequential number — a unique numerical identifier of the case within the year.
Example: 2024-CR-00512 indicates a criminal case filed in 2024 with the sequential number 512. The exact format may vary between the District Court and the County Court at Law. Enter the number in the appropriate search field on the court portal — this provides direct access to the case card without the need to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Wichita
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Texas Penal Code (e.g., § 49.04 — DWI) |
| Severity Level | Felony (ranging from State Jail Felony to Capital Felony), Misdemeanor (Class A, B, C) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the initial charge — reduce the degree or add new counts |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration.
- Active — proceedings are actively ongoing.
- Disposed — the case has been resolved (verdict, closure, dismissal of charges).
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including the execution of the sentence.
Types of Hearings
The case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first presentation of the accused before a judge, announcement of charges.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (primarily for felonies).
- Pre-Trial Hearing — consideration of motions, discussion of plea agreements.
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or jury conviction.
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions or other obligations.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by the court or jury |
| Dismissed | The case was closed by the prosecutor or judge |
| Acquitted | Official exoneration after substantive review |
| Deferred Adjudication | The judge postpones sentencing; if conditions are successfully met, the case may be closed without conviction |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Wichita
Certified copies of criminal records are required for official purposes — employment, licensing, immigration procedures. Here's where to apply.
Wichita County District Clerk
This office maintains records of felonies and district court cases. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail.
For the request, you need:
- Full name of the person for whom the record is requested
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Case number, if known
- Payment of the prescribed fee
State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history report, contact the DPS Texas Crime Records Division. Requests are submitted online or by mail, with fingerprinting for identification.
Police Reports
The Wichita Falls Police Records Division processes and stores crime and accident reports. Requests for a copy of a police report are submitted through the division or via the public information request form.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Wichita
Fees for criminal records in Texas are primarily governed by the Local Government Code and Government Code. Specific amounts may be adjusted by individual offices.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 | Standard rate according to Texas Local Government Code § 118.052 |
| Certification of copy | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check through DPS (name-based) | $3.00 | Online via DPS portal |
| Criminal history check through DPS (fingerprint-based) | From $24.95 | Includes fingerprint processing |
| Police report (copy) | Depends on volume | Contact the police records division |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents at the clerk's office — usually from 1 to 5 business days for in-person requests.
- Mail requests — from 5 to 10 business days, depending on office workload.
- Check through DPS online (name-based) — the result is often available within minutes.
- Fingerprint-based check — from 2 to 10 business days.
Payment is usually accepted by check, money order, or credit card (for online requests). Confirm acceptable payment forms directly with the office you are contacting.