Criminal records in El Paso County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. ElPasoCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the El Paso County District Clerk, the El Paso Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, each of which maintains records relevant to criminal cases filed or processed in the county.
How to Search Criminal Records in El Paso
There are several ways to search criminal records in El Paso County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Through ElPasoCourt.us
Start at ElPasoCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information. You can look up cases by name or case number to find charge details, case status, and hearing dates.
Online — Official Portals
- El Paso County Odyssey Public Access: The El Paso County case records portal allows searches of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases filed in county and district courts. Search by party name, case number, or attorney.
- El Paso Municipal Court: For Class C misdemeanors and city citations, use the Municipal Court public access portal to look up case records and court calendars.
- Texas DPS Criminal History Search: The TxDPS Crime Records Division offers a statewide name-based criminal history search for a fee. This covers arrests and dispositions reported to the state repository.
- Federal Cases: For federal criminal cases in El Paso, search through PACER. El Paso falls within the Western District of Texas.
In Person
- Visit the El Paso County District Clerk's office at the El Paso County Courthouse. Public access terminals are typically available for searching case records during business hours.
- The El Paso Municipal Court also handles in-person inquiries for city-level offenses.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the El Paso County District Clerk for certified copies of criminal case documents. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For statewide criminal history, submit a written request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. A fingerprint-based search provides the most complete results.
- Under the Texas Public Information Act, you may also submit open records requests to law enforcement agencies for arrest reports and related documents.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if available)
- Approximate date range of the offense or filing
Search El Paso Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Texas courts use a structured case numbering format that encodes key information about each filing.
In El Paso County, criminal case numbers generally follow a pattern that includes:
- A year indicator — typically the last two or four digits of the year the case was filed
- A court or case-type prefix — a letter or abbreviation that identifies the court division (e.g., "CR" for criminal cases in district court)
- A sequential number — assigned in the order the case was filed within that year and division
For example, a case number like 20240D12345 would indicate a 2024 filing in a specific district court division with that sequential assignment. Municipal court case numbers follow a different internal format.
Enter the full case number into the county's Odyssey Public Access portal or the municipal court portal to pull up the exact case, including all associated charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in El Paso
Criminal case records in El Paso County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Texas Penal Code section or other statute the defendant is charged under (e.g., §31.03 for theft) |
| Severity | Classified as a felony (first, second, third degree, or state jail felony), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations — the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active: Proceedings are currently underway
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All proceedings and obligations are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant is formally read the charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing: A judge determines whether there is probable cause to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial: Motions, discovery issues, and plea discussions are addressed
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: If convicted, the court imposes penalties
- Review Hearing: Follow-up hearings for probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty: Defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: The case was dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court
- Nolle Prosequi: The state elected not to prosecute
- Deferred Adjudication: The defendant is placed on community supervision; if completed successfully, a conviction is not entered
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in El Paso
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background verifications, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
El Paso County District Clerk's Office
The District Clerk handles criminal case records for county and district court matters. You can request certified copies in person, by mail, or through a written request.
El Paso Municipal Court
For Class C misdemeanor records handled by the Municipal Court, contact their office directly.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the District Clerk's office with a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the case number or the defendant's full name and date of birth.
- By mail: Send a written request to the District Clerk's mailing address. Include the case number, your name, return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Open Records Request: For arrest reports or police records, file a request with the El Paso Police Department under the Texas Public Information Act.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- If requesting by mail, include a copy of your ID
- For criminal history from TxDPS, a fingerprint submission may be required for the most thorough results
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in El Paso
Fees for criminal records in El Paso County are set by statute and local fee schedules. Below are the standard costs:
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document copies | $1.00 per page | Texas Local Government Code §118.011 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 each additional page | Texas Local Government Code §118.011 |
| TxDPS Name-Based Criminal History Search | $3.00 per search | Texas Government Code §411.135 |
| TxDPS Fingerprint-Based Criminal History | Varies (typically $24.95+) | TxDPS fee schedule |
| PACER (Federal Court Records) | $0.10 per page (capped at $3.00 per document) | PACER fee schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often fulfilled the same day or within one to two business days
- Mail requests: Typically processed within 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- TxDPS online searches: Results are usually available immediately after payment
- Open records requests: Texas law requires a response within 10 business days, though the agency may request additional time for large or complex requests
Payment methods at the District Clerk's office generally include cash, money order, and credit or debit cards. For the municipal court, check the payment methods and violation fees page for current options. Fees are subject to change — confirm with the issuing office before submitting your request.