Ector County Criminal Records
What Is Ector County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Ector County, Texas, are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records document the complete history of a person's criminal activity as processed through local law enforcement agencies and the county court system. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.082, criminal history record information includes arrests, prosecutions, and the disposition of criminal charges.
Criminal records in Ector County are categorized by several important distinctions:
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Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. It is important to note that an arrest does not necessarily lead to a conviction.
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Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment in state facilities for periods exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by county jail terms of less than one year and/or fines.
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Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 17 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 17) are typically sealed and confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.003.
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Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Ector County:
Ector County Sheriff's Office
300 N. Grant Ave.
Odessa, TX 79761
432-335-3050
Ector County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.
Ector County District Clerk
300 N. Grant Ave., Room 201
Odessa, TX 79761
432-498-4290
Ector County District Clerk
The District Clerk maintains felony case records and dispositions.
Ector County Clerk
300 N. Grant Ave., Room 100
Odessa, TX 79761
432-498-4130
Ector County Clerk
The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor case records.
Texas Department of Public Safety
5805 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752
512-424-2000
Texas Department of Public Safety
The state agency maintains the central repository for criminal history information.
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation/parole information. The Criminal Department of the Ector County District Clerk processes and maintains these records for felony cases.
Are Criminal Records Public In Ector County
Criminal records in Ector County are generally considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
Section 552.021 of the Texas Government Code states: "Public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that members of the public have the right to access criminal records maintained by county agencies during regular business hours.
The following categories of criminal records are typically available for public access in Ector County:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Arrest records (with some limitations)
- Jail booking information
- Criminal court dockets
- Sentencing information
However, certain categories of criminal records are restricted from public access:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Expunged or non-disclosed records
- Information deemed confidential under state or federal law
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
The Texas Department of Public Safety, which maintains the state's criminal history database, provides access to criminal history record information to authorized entities under Texas Government Code § 411.083. While the general public has limited access to this database, criminal records maintained at the county level through the Ector County District Clerk and County Clerk are accessible through public terminals and online portals.
It is important to note that while criminal records are generally public, the methods of access and associated fees may vary depending on the specific record requested and the maintaining agency.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Ector County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Ector County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county currently provides multiple avenues for accessing criminal records, including both in-person and online options.
For in-person requests, individuals may follow these steps:
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Visit the appropriate county office based on the type of record needed:
- For felony cases: Visit the Ector County District Clerk's Office
- For misdemeanor cases: Visit the Ector County Clerk's Office
- For arrest and jail records: Visit the Ector County Sheriff's Office
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Complete a public information request form, which is available at each office
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Provide specific information to facilitate the search, such as:
- Full name of the individual (including any known aliases)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date of the incident or court proceeding
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Pay any applicable fees for record searches or copies
Ector County District Clerk
300 N. Grant Ave., Room 201
Odessa, TX 79761
432-498-4290
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ector County District Clerk
The Public Portal to Court Records provides an alternative to in-person visits. This online system allows users to search for and view court records remotely. To use this service:
- Register for an account on the portal website
- Select the appropriate search parameters
- Review the available case information
- Request specific documents as needed
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may also submit requests to the Texas Department of Public Safety through their Criminal History Search service. This requires:
- Completing the appropriate request form
- Providing fingerprints (for a complete criminal history check)
- Paying the required fee
- Submitting the request via mail or in person at a designated location
Attorneys and authorized agencies may have access to additional search capabilities through secure portals with proper credentials and authorization.
How To Find Criminal Records in Ector County Online?
Ector 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 portal for court records in Ector County is the Public Portal to Court Records, maintained by the Ector County District Clerk's Office. This comprehensive system allows users to:
- Search for court cases by name, case number, or filing date
- View case summaries and docket information
- Access court calendars and scheduled hearings
- View certain court documents (with registration)
To utilize this portal:
- Navigate to the official website
- Register for an account (requires email address)
- Accept the terms of use
- Conduct searches using the available parameters
- Select specific cases to view detailed information
The Ector County District Clerk Announcements webpage provides updates about the availability of court records and any system maintenance that might affect online access.
For jail records and recent arrests, the Ector County Jail Records Inquiry website allows users to:
- View current inmate information
- Check recent arrest data
- Search by name or booking number
- View basic charge information
Additional online resources include:
- The Ector County Criminal Department webpage, which provides information about criminal case processing and available services
- The Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Search, which offers statewide criminal history information for a fee
It is important to note that while many records are available online, some documents may only be accessible in person due to confidentiality restrictions or technical limitations. Additionally, certain online services require registration and may involve subscription fees for full access to documents.
Can You Search Ector County Criminal Records for Free?
The Texas Public Information Act establishes the right of the public to inspect government records at no cost. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, public information is available for inspection during the normal business hours of governmental bodies without charge. This provision applies to criminal records maintained by Ector County agencies.
Members of the public may inspect criminal records free of charge at the following locations:
Ector County District Clerk's Office
300 N. Grant Ave., Room 201
Odessa, TX 79761
432-498-4290
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ector County District Clerk
Ector County Clerk's Office
300 N. Grant Ave., Room 100
Odessa, TX 79761
432-498-4130
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ector County Clerk
Free online resources for criminal record searches include:
- Basic case information through the Public Portal to Court Records - While registration is required, basic case information can be viewed without charge
- Current inmate information through the Ector County Jail Records Inquiry system
- Court dockets and calendars available through the District Clerk's website
While inspection of records is free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of documents (paper or electronic)
- Certified copies of records
- Extensive document searches requiring significant staff time
- Subscription services for enhanced online access
- Complete criminal history reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety
The fee schedule for copies and other services is established by the Ector County Commissioners Court in accordance with Texas law. Current fees for common services include:
- Regular copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
- Electronic copies: Varies based on file size and delivery method
Certain individuals, such as indigent persons or those seeking records for specific governmental or educational purposes, may qualify for fee waivers under certain circumstances.
What's Included in a Ector County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Ector County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized according to state requirements and includes several key categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction (District Court for felonies, County Court for misdemeanors)
- Filing date
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offense (felony class A-F or misdemeanor class A-C)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Type of sentence (incarceration, probation, deferred adjudication)
- Length of sentence
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution requirements
- Special conditions
- Appeal information
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements (if applicable)
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation violations
The Criminal Department of the Ector County District Clerk is responsible for maintaining these records for felony cases, including "filing cases, issuing processes, maintaining records of proceedings, collecting costs and fines" and other related duties.
It is important to note that the level of detail available may vary depending on the age of the record, the maintaining agency, and whether any information has been redacted due to confidentiality requirements or court orders.
How Long Does Ector County Keep Criminal Records?
Ector 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). These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records.
Key retention periods for criminal records in Ector County include:
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Felony Case Records: Permanent retention for cases involving capital offenses, 25 years after final disposition for first and second-degree felonies, and 10 years after final disposition for third-degree felonies
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Misdemeanor Case Records: 5 years after final disposition for Class A and B misdemeanors, 2 years after final disposition for Class C misdemeanors
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Arrest Records: 5 years after arrest or release without prosecution, whichever later
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Jail Records: 3 years for booking and intake records, 5 years for inmate medical records
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Offense Reports: 10 years for solved cases, 75 years for unsolved felonies, 2 years for unsolved misdemeanors
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Criminal History Information: Maintained permanently in the state repository
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Expunged Records: Destroyed immediately upon receipt of expungement order as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 55.02
It is important to note that these are minimum retention periods, and many records, particularly those related to serious offenses, are maintained for longer periods or permanently. Additionally, records that have historical significance may be preserved indefinitely regardless of the minimum retention period.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records. The Ector County District Clerk and other county offices have implemented digital preservation strategies to ensure the long-term accessibility of electronic criminal records.
Records management in Ector County is conducted in accordance with Texas Local Government Code § 203.041, which requires the establishment of records management programs by local governments.
Lookup Criminal Records in Ector County
Public Portal to Court Records
Ector County District Clerk Announcements