Criminal records in Grayson County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels. GraysonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include official state court systems, the Grayson County District Clerk's office, the County Clerk's office, and local law enforcement agencies. Whether you need to look up a pending case, verify a disposition, or obtain certified copies, the resources below explain each method.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grayson County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Grayson County. What you'll need to get started depends on the method, but having the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number will make any search more productive.
Online Search Options
- GraysonCourt.us — Search publicly available court record information for Grayson County criminal cases by name or case number.
- Texas Courts portal — The Texas Judicial Branch website provides links to statewide court records resources, including re:SearchTX, which allows searches across participating Texas county and district courts.
- eFileTexas.Gov — Texas's official e-filing system covers criminal cases in district and county courts. While primarily a filing tool, it can be used to look up case information in participating courts.
- Grayson County Sheriff's Office — The sheriff's office maintains a jail roster and may publish current inmate and booking information online.
In Person
- Visit the Grayson County District Clerk's Office at the Grayson County Courthouse in Sherman. Public access terminals may be available for searching criminal case indexes. Felony criminal cases are filed with the District Clerk.
- The Grayson County Clerk's Office handles misdemeanor criminal records for County Court and County Court at Law cases. The County Clerk is located at 100 W. Houston, Ste. 17, Sherman, TX.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Grayson County District Clerk (for felony records) or the County Clerk (for misdemeanor records). Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. Include payment for any applicable copy or certification fees.
- For a statewide criminal history report, submit a request to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Records Service. DPS processes name-based and fingerprint-based criminal background checks under Texas Government Code Chapter 411.
Search Grayson County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Texas case numbers typically follow a format that encodes the court type and filing sequence.
In Grayson County, criminal case numbers generally include:
- A prefix or code indicating the court — for example, "CR" often designates a criminal case in district court, while county-level misdemeanor cases may use a different prefix.
- A year indicator — two or four digits representing the year the case was filed.
- A sequential number — assigned in the order the case was filed within that court during that year.
For example, a case number like CR-24-01234 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2024 as the 1,234th case in that sequence. When entering a case number into any search tool, match the format exactly, including hyphens and leading zeros. If you're unsure of the format, the clerk's office can help you identify the correct structure.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grayson County
Criminal case records in Grayson County contain several categories of information. Here's what each means in practice:
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The specific section of the Texas Penal Code or other statute the defendant is charged under |
| Felony | Serious offenses (e.g., aggravated assault, burglary) — handled by District Court |
| Misdemeanor (Class A/B) | Less serious offenses (e.g., DWI, theft under $2,500) — handled by County Court at Law |
| Misdemeanor (Class C) | Fine-only offenses (e.g., minor traffic violations) — handled by Justice of the Peace or Municipal Court |
| Amended charges | Original charges changed by the prosecution, often through plea negotiations |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active — Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-trial hearing — Motions, discovery disputes, and plea discussions before trial.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance, restitution, or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict.
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court.
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the case further.
- Deferred adjudication — Common in Texas; the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, but the court defers a finding of guilt pending completion of probation terms.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grayson County
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, employment background checks, and licensing applications. The office you contact depends on the type of case.
Felony Criminal Records
Request certified copies from the Grayson County District Clerk.
Misdemeanor Criminal Records
Request certified copies from the Grayson County Clerk.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the appropriate clerk's office during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request with the defendant's full name, case number (if known), the specific documents needed, and a check or money order for fees payable to the appropriate clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Statewide criminal history — For a comprehensive Texas criminal history, contact the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Name-based searches can be submitted online; fingerprint-based checks require an approved channeler or DPS office visit.
Requesters should bring or include a valid photo ID. Some records — such as sealed or expunged cases — are not available to the general public under Texas law.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grayson County
Fees for criminal record copies in Grayson County are set by Texas statute (Texas Local Government Code §118.052 and related sections). The following table reflects standard county clerk and district clerk fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court record (first page) | $1.00 |
| Each additional page (certified copy) | $0.25 |
| Non-certified photocopy (per page) | $0.10 – $1.00 |
| Certificate/seal fee | $5.00 |
| DPS name-based criminal history check | Approximately $3.00 (online) |
| DPS fingerprint-based criminal history check | Varies; typically $15.00+ |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within 1–3 business days, depending on the volume and complexity of the request.
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after receipt, plus mailing time.
- DPS statewide checks — Name-based online results are usually available within minutes. Fingerprint-based checks may take several business days.
Checks for filing and copy fees should be made payable to the Grayson County Clerk or Grayson County District Clerk, as appropriate. Contact the relevant office to confirm current fees before submitting a request, as amounts may be updated periodically.