Criminal records in Taylor County, Texas, are available through several channels. TaylorCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official state court systems, Abilene law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. Below are step-by-step instructions, fee explanations, and practical tips for each search method.
How to Search Criminal Records in Taylor
Start with TaylorCourt.us — enter the full name of the person or case number to view public information about criminal proceedings in the county. This is the fastest way to check the status of a case without leaving home.
Online Search via Official Portals
- Texas Judicial System — the Texas Judicial Branch portal contains links for searching district and county court cases.
- Abilene Municipal Court — through Municipal Court online search, you can find cases related to city ordinance violations and minor offenses.
- State-Level Criminal History — the Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) processes requests for criminal history checks.
- Inmate Information — TDCJ Inmate Search shows the location of confinement, offenses, and the estimated release date of individuals in the state correctional system.
In-Person Visit
The Taylor County District Clerk handles felony cases, while the County Clerk handles misdemeanor cases. Both offices have public terminals for searching. Contact the clerk with the defendant's last name or case number.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the District Clerk or the DPS Crime Records Division. Include:
- The full name of the person (including possible aliases)
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- A copy of the applicant's ID
- Payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check
Incident and arrest reports from the Abilene police are also available through the Incident & Arrest Reports page on the city website.
Search Taylor Criminal Cases by Case Number
A criminal case number in Texas typically begins with a letter code indicating the type of proceeding, followed by the year of filing and a sequential number. For example, the format might look like this: CR-2024-00123, where "CR" stands for a criminal case, "2024" is the year, and the remaining digits are a sequential number in the clerk's registry.
In some Taylor County courts, the letter prefix may vary depending on the court level — the District Court and the County Court-at-Law use their own numbering series. If you have only part of the number, the clerk can help clarify the full identifier.
To search by case number, enter it in the case number field on the respective court portal or provide it to the clerk when visiting in person.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Taylor
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Texas Penal Code or another code under which charges are filed |
| Severity Level | Felony (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree, state jail felony), Misdemeanor (Class A, B, C) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may reduce or change charges during a plea bargain |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Active — a hearing is scheduled or court action is expected
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures, including appeals, are completed
Types of Hearings
Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused before a judge, where charges are read. Preliminary hearing determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case. Pre-trial conference allows parties to discuss a plea deal or procedural matters. Sentencing occurs after a guilty plea or jury verdict, and a review hearing checks compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results
- Guilty — admission or verdict of guilt
- Not Guilty — acquittal by jury or judge
- Dismissed — the prosecutor or court closed the case
- Acquitted — formal acquittal after a substantive review
- Deferred Adjudication — the court postpones a decision; upon successful completion of probation, charges may be dismissed
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Taylor
Certified copies of criminal cases are issued by the Taylor County District Clerk for felony cases and the County Clerk for misdemeanors. Here's how to submit a request:
- Visit the appropriate clerk's office in person at the Taylor County courthouse in Abilene.
- Provide the case number or the full name of the defendant and the approximate year.
- Present a valid photo ID.
- Pay the certification and copying fee.
To obtain an official state-level criminal history check, submit a request to the Crime Records Division DPS. You need to fill out a form and provide fingerprints (for a complete check).
Mail requests should include a copy of ID and payment sent to the District Clerk's address.
Taylor County District Clerk
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Taylor
Fees are set according to the Texas Local Government Code and the fee schedule approved by the county court. Below are estimated rates — verify current amounts directly with the clerk's office.
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification | $5.00 |
| Criminal history check via DPS (name-based) | $3.00 (online) |
| Check via DPS (fingerprint-based) | Depends on the type of request |
Processing Times
- In-person request at the clerk's office — usually the same day or within 1–3 business days
- Mail request — from 5 to 15 business days depending on volume
- DPS name-based check online — results may be available within minutes
- DPS fingerprint-based check — up to 20 business days
For state legal resources, use the Texas State Law Library, which compiles statutes and case law.