Criminal records in Upshur County, Texas, are available through several channels. UpshurCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court systems, the Upshur County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's Office. The Texas Department of Public Safety is used for statewide criminal history checks.
How to Search Criminal Records in Upshur
Start your search with UpshurCourt.us — enter the person's full name, and the system will display publicly available court records from the county. This is the fastest way to get basic information about a criminal case.
Online Search through Official Systems
- Texas Office of Court Administration — use the Ad-Hoc Search portal to find data on court activity in Upshur County. Select the court type (District, Constitutional County) and enter the county name.
- Crime Records Division at DPS — the Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety allows you to request an official criminal history at the state level. An application and fee are required.
- TDCJ Offender Search — if the person is serving a sentence in a state correctional facility, use the TDCJ inmate search to check location, offenses, and estimated release date.
In-Person Visit
Visit the County Clerk's Office in Gilmer. Public access terminals in the courthouse allow you to view court records directly. The clerk can help locate a case by number or defendant's name.
Mail Request
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, send a written request to the Crime Records Division at Texas DPS. Include the person's full name, date of birth, social security number (if available), and reason for the request. To search for a specific court case, you can also send a written request to the Upshur County Clerk's Office with the case number or party name.
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name and surname of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
- TDCJ number (for state inmates)
Search Upshur Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Texas receives a unique number upon registration in court. In Upshur County, the case number format typically includes several elements separated by dashes or letters.
Typical case number structure in Texas:
- Year prefix — a two-digit or four-digit number indicating the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 or 2024).
- Court type code — a letter or abbreviation indicating jurisdiction: "CR" for criminal cases in District Court, "M" for misdemeanor cases in Constitutional County Court.
- Sequential number — a sequential case number within the year.
For example, a number like "2024-CR-00152" indicates a criminal case registered in District Court in 2024 under sequential number 152. If you only have part of the number, the court clerk can often help identify the case by the defendant's name and approximate year.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Upshur
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the Texas Penal Code or another state law under which the charge is filed |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime, classes Capital, 1st–3rd degree, State Jail) or Misdemeanor (minor offense, classes A, B, C) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the original charge — reduce the severity or add new counts during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — the case is in active court proceedings
- Disposed — the court has issued a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, the case is closed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (usually for felony)
- Pre-Trial Hearing — consideration of motions, plea discussions, procedural issues
- Trial — substantive court hearing, with or without a jury
- Sentencing — announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions or other court requirements
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The defendant is acquitted |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — usually at the prosecutor's initiative |
| Nolo Contendere | The defendant does not contest the charge, which has similar consequences to a guilty plea |
| Deferred Adjudication | The court postpones the verdict; if the defendant meets the conditions, the case may be closed without a conviction. The possibility of filing for nondisclosure of the record depends on the type of offense. |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Upshur
Certified copies of court criminal records are issued by the County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office — depending on the jurisdiction of the court that heard the case. Misdemeanor cases are kept by the County Clerk, while felony cases are kept by the District Clerk.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the appropriate office in the Upshur County courthouse in Gilmer. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request with the case number or full name of the defendant, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for the appropriate fee.
- For State-Level Criminal History — submit a request to the Crime Records Division at Texas DPS. A fingerprint is required for a state database check.
To make a request, you need:
- A valid photo ID
- Case number or full name and date of birth of the person
- Payment of the fee (cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Upshur
Fees for copies and certification of documents in Upshur County are set according to Chapter 118 of the Texas Local Government Code. Below are approximate amounts.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 |
| Criminal history check through Texas DPS (Name-Based) | $3.00 |
| Criminal history check through Texas DPS (Fingerprint-Based) | Depends on the type of request; usually from $24.95 |
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted in cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard. Personal checks are usually not accepted.
Processing Times
- In-Person Request at the Clerk's Office — copies of simple documents are often issued the same day or within 1–3 business days.
- Mail Request — processing takes 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request and the current workload of the office.
- Check through Texas DPS — results of a Name-Based check usually arrive within 1–3 business days for online requests. A Fingerprint-Based check may take up to 2–4 weeks.
For current fees, contact the Upshur County Clerk's Office directly or check the fee structure page on the county's official website.