Fort Bend County Criminal Records
What Is Fort Bend County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Fort Bend County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.083, which establishes guidelines for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information.
Criminal records in Fort Bend County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, regardless of whether charges were filed
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Documentation of criminal proceedings, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and sentencing
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in county jail facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody but may not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings determined criminal responsibility. Additionally, felony records document more serious offenses potentially punishable by state prison sentences, while misdemeanor records reflect less severe infractions typically punishable by county jail terms or fines.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Fort Bend County:
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office
1840 Richmond Parkway
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4665
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office
Fort Bend County District Clerk
301 Jackson Street
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4509
Fort Bend County District Clerk
Fort Bend County Courts
401 Jackson Street
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-3710
Fort Bend County Courts
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division also maintains a centralized repository of criminal history information from jurisdictions throughout the state, including Fort Bend County.
Juvenile records receive special protection under Texas Family Code § 58.007, which generally restricts public access to criminal records of individuals under 17 years of age at the time of the alleged offense.
Are Criminal Records Public In Fort Bend County
Criminal records in Fort Bend County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, which establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. This statute, codified as Texas Government Code Chapter 552, implements the principle that the public has a right to information about governmental activities.
Section 552.021 of the Texas Government Code specifically states: "Public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision establishes the fundamental right of access to government records, including most criminal records maintained by Fort Bend County agencies.
However, certain categories of criminal records are subject to restrictions or exemptions:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Section 552.108 of the Texas Government Code
- Juvenile Records: As mandated by the Texas Family Code, records involving minors are generally confidential
- Expunged or Sealed Records: Records that have been legally expunged or sealed by court order are not available to the public
- Deferred Adjudication: In some cases, records of successfully completed deferred adjudication may have restricted access
- Certain Victim Information: Details that could identify victims of certain crimes, particularly sexual offenses, may be redacted
Adult conviction records and court proceedings are typically fully accessible to the public through the Fort Bend County court records research system. These records include case filings, hearing schedules, judgments, and sentencing information for both felony and misdemeanor cases.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office maintains public records of arrests, bookings, and incarcerations, which can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office Records Division. These records typically include basic identifying information, charges, and custody status.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fort Bend County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Fort Bend County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1840 Richmond Parkway
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4665
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sheriff's Office Records Division
The process for obtaining criminal records in person typically involves:
- Completing a public information request form
- Providing specific information about the record being sought (name, date of birth, case number)
- Presenting valid identification
- Paying applicable fees for copies or certified documents
For written requests, individuals may submit a public information request to the appropriate agency. The Texas Public Information Act requires governmental bodies to respond to requests promptly, generally within 10 business days.
When submitting written requests, individuals should:
- Clearly identify the records being sought
- Provide sufficient detail to allow the agency to locate the records
- Include contact information for correspondence
- Specify the preferred format for receiving the records (paper copies, electronic files)
Background check requests for employment or licensing purposes may require additional documentation, including signed authorization from the subject of the record check and payment of applicable fees.
How To Find Criminal Records in Fort Bend County Online?
Fort Bend County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person visits for many types of record searches.
The primary online resources include:
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Fort Bend County Public Access System: The county's online case search portal allows users to search court records for both criminal and civil cases. This system provides access to:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Party names and attorney information
- Charge information
- Court dates and hearing schedules
- Case dispositions and judgments
- Document indexes (though actual documents may require in-person retrieval)
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Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of current inmates in county detention facilities. This resource provides:
- Booking information
- Current charges
- Bond amounts
- Court dates
- Custody status
-
Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search: For statewide criminal history information, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service offers a fee-based search system that includes records from Fort Bend County and other jurisdictions throughout Texas.
When using these online systems, users should note:
- Some searches require registration or the creation of a user account
- Certain detailed information may only be available through in-person requests
- Online records may not include all historical cases, particularly older records that have not been digitized
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from online versions of records
- Fees may apply for certain types of searches or document retrieval
For comprehensive criminal history information, users may need to combine online searches with traditional in-person or written requests, particularly for records that predate digital systems or contain sensitive information not available online.
Can You Search Fort Bend County Criminal Records for Free?
Fort Bend County provides several options for free access to criminal records, consistent with the Texas Public Information Act's provision that "a governmental body shall provide a suitable copy of public information within a reasonable time after the date on which the copy is requested" (Texas Government Code § 552.228).
Free inspection of criminal records is available at:
Fort Bend County District Clerk's Office
301 Jackson Street
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4509
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fort Bend County District Clerk
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1840 Richmond Parkway
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4665
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sheriff's Office Records Division
The following online resources are available without charge:
-
Fort Bend County Public Access System: Basic case information searches through the county's online portal are available at no cost, though registration may be required.
-
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Current Inmate Search: Information about individuals currently in custody can be accessed without charge.
-
Court Dockets and Calendars: Schedules of upcoming court proceedings are publicly available through the county's website.
While inspection of records is generally free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of documents (typically $0.10-$1.00 per page)
- Certified copies (additional certification fee)
- Extensive or complex searches requiring significant staff time
- Background checks for employment or licensing purposes
- Expedited processing
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, "The charge for providing a copy of public information shall be an amount that reasonably includes all costs related to reproducing the public information, including costs of materials, labor, and overhead."
Individuals seeking to minimize costs should:
- Specify exactly which records are needed
- Conduct preliminary research using free resources before requesting copies
- Consider inspecting records in person before requesting copies
- Ask about fee waivers for requests in the public interest
What's Included in a Fort Bend County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Fort Bend County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary depending on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Photograph/mugshot (if available)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Initial charges filed
- Bail/bond information
- Detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offense (felony class A-F or misdemeanor class A-C)
- Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
- Plea entered
- Trial information (if applicable)
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentence details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on the age of the case, with older records sometimes containing less detailed information. Additionally, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of records in accordance with privacy laws and court rules.
Criminal records in Fort Bend County are maintained in compliance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which establishes standards for the content and maintenance of such records.
How Long Does Fort Bend County Keep Criminal Records?
Fort Bend County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's Local Government Retention Schedules, specifically Schedule PS (Public Safety Records) and Schedule CC (County Clerk Records).
The retention periods for various criminal records typically include:
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 5 years after final disposition
- Felony Case Files: Retained for 25 years after final disposition
- Capital Felony Cases: Permanent retention
- Arrest Records: Retained for 5 years after arrest
- Jail Records/Booking Information: Retained for 5 years after release
- Investigation Records: Retained for 5 years after case closure for misdemeanors; 10 years for felonies
- Court Dockets: Permanent retention
- Judgments and Sentencing Documents: Permanent retention
- Probation Records: Retained for 10 years after completion of probation
These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records are maintained for longer periods, particularly as Fort Bend County has transitioned to digital record-keeping systems that facilitate extended storage.
It is important to note that even after the official retention period expires, information about criminal cases may persist in various databases and third-party systems that aggregate public records. Additionally, certain records, such as those related to sex offenses, domestic violence, or crimes against children, may be subject to extended retention requirements under specialized statutes.
Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure should be removed from all public access systems and destroyed according to court order. Similarly, records that have been sealed under an order of nondisclosure have restricted accessibility, though they continue to exist in government databases.
Lookup Criminal Records in Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Records Division
Fort Bend County Public Access Case Search
Fort Bend County Public Information Request