Kerr County Criminal Records
What Is Kerr County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Kerr County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final case disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the local, county, and state levels.
Arrest records document the act of taking an individual into custody and include booking information, charges alleged at the time of arrest, and bail determinations. Conviction records, by contrast, reflect a formal finding of guilt entered by a court following a plea, bench trial, or jury verdict. It is important to note that an arrest record does not constitute evidence of guilt; only a conviction record establishes a legal finding of criminal liability.
Criminal offenses in Texas are classified as either felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are the more serious category, ranging from state jail felonies through first-degree felonies, and carry potential sentences of more than one year in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors are divided into Classes A, B, and C, with penalties generally limited to county jail terms and fines. Juvenile records — those involving individuals under age 17 at the time of the offense — are treated differently under Texas law and are typically sealed from public view to protect the minor's future prospects. Active warrants represent current judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to apprehend a named individual, while historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have already been resolved.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Kerr County include:
- Kerr County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking logs, jail rosters, and inmate records
- Kerr County District Court and County Court at Law — maintain case files, charging instruments, pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and probation records
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — maintains the statewide criminal history repository
- Kerrville Police Department — maintains arrest and incident records for offenses occurring within city limits
A complete criminal record may encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, conditions of probation or parole, and any subsequent modifications to those conditions. Under Texas Government Code § 411.083, the Department of Public Safety is designated as the central repository for criminal history record information in the state.
Kerr County Sheriff's Office 400 Clearwater Paseo, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 896-1216 Kerr County Sheriff's Office
Kerr County District Clerk's Office 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 792-2281 Kerr County District Clerk
Are Criminal Records Public In Kerr County
Adult criminal records in Kerr County are generally available to the public under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act, codified at Texas Government Code § 552.001 et seq., establishes the public's right to access government records, including criminal history information maintained by county agencies. The Act declares that government is the servant of the people and that each person is entitled to complete information about the affairs of government.
The following categories of criminal records are currently accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court case filings, docket entries, and judgment orders
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information as required by state law
- Inmate and jail roster information
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, the release of which could interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to Texas Family Code § 58.007 to protect minors from the long-term consequences of youthful offenses
- Expunged or nondisclosed records, which have been legally removed from public access by court order
- Certain victim information, including addresses and identifying details protected under state confidentiality provisions
- Mental health and medical records associated with criminal proceedings
Members of the public seeking criminal history information maintained at the state level may submit requests through the Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, which serves as the official state control terminal for criminal justice data programs.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Kerr County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Kerr County criminal records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the correct agency. Determine whether the record sought originates from a law enforcement agency (arrest/booking records) or a court (case filings and dispositions). Arrest records are held by the Kerr County Sheriff's Office or the Kerrville Police Department; court records are held by the District Clerk or County Clerk.
Step 2 — Submit a public information request. Requests for records held by county agencies may be submitted in writing to the relevant department. Under the Texas Public Information Act, agencies are required to respond promptly, generally within ten business days.
Step 3 — Request court records directly. The Kerr County District Clerk's Office accepts in-person requests at the courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should provide the full legal name of the subject and, if known, the case number or approximate date of the offense.
Step 4 — Submit a statewide criminal history request. For a comprehensive background check drawing on the statewide repository, individuals may submit a request to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Self-request forms and third-party request procedures are available through the Crime Records Division.
Step 5 — Pay applicable fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of records. The first inspection of records is generally available at no charge; copies are subject to per-page fees established by the agency or by state rule.
Kerr County County Clerk's Office 700 Main Street, Suite 122, Kerrville, TX 78028 (830) 792-2255 Kerr County County Clerk
How To Find Criminal Records in Kerr County Online?
Several online portals currently provide access to Kerr County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Kerr County Official Website — The Kerr County public records portal provides guidance on accessing county-maintained records and directs users to the appropriate department for specific record types. No registration is required to access general information.
Texas Department of Public Safety — Crime Records Division — The DPS online portal allows individuals to request certified criminal history reports. Self-requests require identity verification; third-party requests are subject to statutory access restrictions. The portal is accessible through the Crime Records Division website.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search — Members of the public may search for individuals currently or previously incarcerated in Texas state correctional facilities through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search tool. The database includes current incarceration status, projected release dates, and facility assignments.
Texas OCA Case Search — The Office of Court Administration maintains an online case search tool that provides access to district and county court case information statewide, including Kerr County. Users may search by name, case number, or date range. No registration is required for basic searches.
Note that certain records — including sealed juvenile files, expunged records, and records under active investigation — are not available through any online portal and may only be accessed, if at all, through a formal court order.
Can You Search Kerr County Criminal Records for Free?
Texas law currently provides that members of the public are entitled to inspect public records at no charge. Under Texas Government Code § 552.228, a governmental body may not charge a fee for the inspection of public information. Fees may be assessed only for the reproduction, mailing, or other processing of copies.
The following resources are available at no cost to the public:
- Kerr County public records portal — General guidance and departmental contact information are freely accessible at the Kerr County official website
- Texas DPS Crime Records Division — Basic name-based criminal history searches are available online; certified reports require a fee
- Texas TDCJ Offender Search — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice offender search is available to the public at no charge
- In-person inspection at the District Clerk's Office — Members of the public may inspect court case files in person during business hours without charge; copies are subject to per-page fees
- Kerr County Sheriff's Office — Jail roster and inmate information may be reviewed in person at no charge
Individuals who require certified copies of criminal records for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings should anticipate applicable reproduction fees, which vary by agency and document type.
What's Included in a Kerr County Criminal Record?
A complete Kerr County criminal record may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and proceedings. The specific contents vary depending on the nature and history of the case.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at the time of booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by the Texas DPS
- FBI Number, if applicable
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Kerrville PD, or other)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges alleged at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount and conditions
Court Case Information
- Case number and assigned court or jurisdiction
- Filing date and charging instrument (indictment, information, or complaint)
- Specific charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting agency
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date, if applicable
- Sentence type and length (incarceration, probation, deferred adjudication, fine)
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Conditions of probation or community supervision
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Parole or mandatory supervision status, as maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Kerr County Keep Criminal Records?
Kerr County retains criminal records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the authority of Texas Government Code § 441.185, which mandates that local government records be retained for periods specified in approved retention schedules.
The following general retention periods apply to criminal records maintained by Kerr County agencies:
- Felony conviction records — Retained permanently by the District Clerk's Office
- Misdemeanor conviction records — Retained for a minimum of ten years following final disposition
- Arrest and booking records — Retained for a minimum of two years for cases not resulting in conviction; longer periods apply where charges remain pending
- Acquittal and dismissal records — Retained for a minimum of two years, subject to expunction orders
- Jail records and inmate files — Retained for a minimum of two years following release
- Probation and community supervision records — Retained for a minimum of five years following discharge from supervision
- Juvenile records — Retained subject to the sealing and destruction provisions of the Texas Family Code, which generally permit destruction upon the subject reaching a specified age and meeting eligibility criteria
Agencies are required to follow the Local Schedule CC (Records of County Clerks) and Local Schedule JR (Records of Justice and Municipal Courts) issued by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Records subject to a litigation hold or pending expunction order must be preserved beyond the standard retention period until the matter is resolved.