Criminal records in Starr County, Texas, are accessible through several channels—from online tools to official court systems and law enforcement agencies. StarrCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the county clerk's portal, the district clerk's office, the county sheriff, and the Texas state criminal history repository.
How to Search Criminal Records in Starr
There are several ways to find criminal records in Starr County. Each is suitable for different situations—from quick checks to obtaining official documents.
Online Search
- StarrCourt.us — start here if you need to find public information about a criminal case. Enter the person's full name or case number.
- Official Starr County Records Search — the county clerk's portal allows searches by name or document type. Certified as of April 2026.
- Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search — state-level criminal history search through the Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Re:SearchTX — a free subscription plan allows searching court records from multiple Texas counties and courts simultaneously.
- TDCJ Offender Search — if the person is in state prison, you can find location, offense, and estimated release date information here.
In-Person Visit
Visit the District Clerk's office in the Starr County courthouse. Felony-level criminal cases are maintained by the district clerk. Misdemeanor cases are typically handled by the county clerk.
Starr County District Clerk's Office
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the district or county clerk at the address above. For state-level criminal history searches, contact the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number if you have it.
What you need to start the search:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
- SID number or TDCJ number (for state system searches)
Search Starr Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Texas, a criminal case number is usually assigned by the court clerk when an indictment or information is filed. The format may vary by court, but a typical structure includes:
- Year prefix — two-digit or four-digit year of case filing (e.g., 24 or 2024)
- Case type code — a letter code indicating the category: CR (criminal), CF (criminal felony), etc.
- Sequential number — a unique sequential number within the year
Example: 24-CR-00153 indicates a criminal case filed in 2024 with the number 153.
If you know the case number, enter it in the search field on the county or district clerk's portal. This is the fastest way to find a specific case—name searches may return multiple results, while a case number leads to a single record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Starr
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Texas Penal Code under which the charge is filed |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), or Class C Misdemeanor (infraction similar to a fine) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more serious one during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — the case is fully closed, and all procedures are complete
Hearings
The case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused in court, where charges are announced
- Pre-trial hearing — parties discuss procedural issues before the trial begins
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review hearing — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence, such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after consideration |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict—the prosecutor dropped the charges, or the court dismissed the case |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
| Deferred Adjudication | The court postpones sentencing under certain conditions (common practice in Texas) |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Starr
Certified copies are official documents with a court seal that other institutions accept as legally valid. Here's how to obtain them.
Where to Go
The type of court determines where to go. Felonies are handled by the 229th District Court, so certified copies of such cases are issued by the district clerk. Misdemeanors and county court cases are serviced by the county clerk.
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In-person — visit the appropriate clerk in the courthouse. Bring a photo ID.
- By mail — send a written request with the name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of the ID.
- Online — through the Texas DPS portal, you can order a criminal history check by name (paid service).
Required Documents
- Photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Name and date of birth of the person whose records are requested
- Case number (speeds up processing)
- Payment of the applicable fee
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Starr
Fees for criminal records in Starr County are governed by the Texas Local Government Code and the fee schedule set by the clerk.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page | Texas Local Government Code §118.052 |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Texas Local Government Code §118.052 |
| Criminal history name search (Texas DPS) | $3.00 | Texas DPS Crime Records Division |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history check (Texas DPS) | Varies depending on the type of request | Texas DPS |
Processing Times
- In-person — copies are usually issued the same day or within a few business days
- By mail — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request
- Texas DPS online — name search results are usually available immediately after payment; fingerprint requests may take longer
Check current fees directly with the district clerk's office or the county clerk, as amounts may change.