Smith County Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records
Smith County, Texas | Criminal public records
Search Smith County Criminal Records, Court Cases, Dockets and Jail Records
Smith County criminal records can be searched through the county’s official Odyssey Public Access Portal. The portal provides public case and jail information, while certified documents must come from the responsible county office.
Felony records belong to the Smith County District Clerk. Class A and B misdemeanor case records belong to the Smith County Clerk’s Criminal Division. Texas DPS maintains a separate statewide public criminal-history conviction search.
Location: Smith County, Texas, with Tyler as the county seat.
Start here
Where to Find Smith County Criminal Records
The fastest route depends on the court and record type. Smith County uses a public access portal for many judicial and jail records, but not all records are available remotely or without restrictions.
District Court Cases
The District Clerk keeps Smith County felony criminal records. Search the public portal first, then contact the District Clerk for official documents.
District ClerkCounty Courts at Law
The County Clerk handles Class A and B misdemeanor records and provides case information and copy-request assistance through its Criminal Division.
County ClerkJail and Booking Records
Smith County’s public search can provide available jail information. A jail record does not establish a conviction or complete criminal history.
Public Jail SearchFind the right office
Smith County Criminal Record Route Finder
This simple tool identifies which official office or record system to use. It does not request or collect personal information.
Official online records
How to Search Smith County Criminal Court Records Online
Smith County’s public portal runs on Tyler Technologies’ Odyssey court record platform. After a 2024 outage, the county publicly confirmed that the restored portal is available at the address below.
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Open the official public portal
Use the link above. If the portal redirects to a search screen or access notice, follow the instructions presented by Smith County.
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Select the public case search
Look for the site’s public judicial-record search or Smart Search option. You do not need to enter an attorney subscription service merely to find ordinary publicly available case information.
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Search by case number when known
A case number usually gives a more precise result than a name. Copy the complete number from a court notice, citation, disposition or other reliable source.
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Search by party name if necessary
Enter the person’s name in the format supported by the portal. If you get too many matches, narrow the search using the available court, case type or date filters.
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Confirm the correct court
Check whether the record belongs to a District Court, County Court at Law or another court. Felony and misdemeanor records may be kept by different clerks.
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Read the case events
Open the public case summary and examine filing dates, hearing settings, charges, court actions, dispositions, and sentence information where available.
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Verify the outcome of each charge
A case can contain multiple counts. A hearing entry, arrest or filed charge does not establish guilt. Check the disposition and subsequent orders carefully.
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Contact the responsible Clerk if you need documents
For a certified copy, complete judgment, sentence or unavailable document, use the District Clerk for felony cases or County Clerk Criminal Division for Class A and B misdemeanors.
District Court criminal records
Smith County Felony Criminal Records: District Clerk
The Smith County District Clerk is the official record keeper for felony cases heard in the District Courts. The office can help with case records, court documents, judgments, sentences and certified copies.
Smith County District Clerk
Address: 100 North Broadway, Room 204Tyler, Texas 75702
Phone: 903-590-1660
Fax: 903-590-1661
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Payment acceptance: Stops at 4:30 p.m.
What to request from the District Clerk
- Felony criminal case number and case status
- Public felony docket information
- Judgment of conviction or final disposition
- Sentencing documents
- Filed criminal orders
- Certified copies when permitted
County-level criminal records
Smith County Class A and B Misdemeanor Records
The County Clerk’s Criminal Division keeps records of Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases resulting from offenses in Smith County.
The office can provide case information such as court assignment, case number, court dates and other available details. It does not provide legal advice.
Smith County Clerk — Criminal Division
Office: Smith County Annex Building200 E. Ferguson Street, Third Floor
Tyler, Texas 75702
Criminal Division: 903-590-4680
Main County Clerk: 903-590-4670
Copy requests: crimcopies@smith-county.com
How to request misdemeanor records
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Identify the misdemeanor case
Find the case number and court assignment using Smith County’s public judicial search if available.
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Contact the County Clerk Criminal Division
Call 903-590-4680 for misdemeanor case information and records assistance.
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Request copies
Send the requested case details to crimcopies@smith-county.com or ask a Criminal Division clerk how to purchase the document.
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Confirm the fee
Ask whether you need an ordinary copy, a certified disposition or a county-level criminal record search.
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Review the documents
Confirm the correct case number, charges, outcome and any certification required for official use.
County-specific records costs
Smith County Criminal Record Search and Copy Fees
Fees differ depending on the custodian and type of service. The following figures come from Smith County’s published Clerk information; verify the applicable rate before payment.
| Office | Service | Published charge |
|---|---|---|
| County Clerk Criminal Division | Class A/B misdemeanor criminal background search | $5 |
| County Clerk Criminal Division | Printed search result pages | $1 per page |
| District Clerk | Emailed ordinary copy, 0-15 pages | $1 per page |
| District Clerk | Emailed ordinary copy, 16 or more pages | $15 per document |
| District Clerk | Paper or certified copy | $1 per page per District Clerk website; confirm certification charges |
| Texas DPS | Online public criminal-history search credit | $1 per credit plus applicable payment fees |
Custody and booking records
Smith County Jail and Inmate Record Search
The Smith County public portal also supports available jail record searching. Jail information and criminal court case information may overlap, but they answer different questions.
Jail records may help show
- Whether a person appears in available custody records
- Booking information
- Associated charges or case numbers where published
- Custody status or facility information where available
Court records help determine
- Whether charges were filed in court
- The assigned criminal court
- Upcoming hearings
- Dismissal, plea, conviction or acquittal
- Sentence or final disposition
If someone does not appear in the jail search
Check whether the person is still in custody, was transferred, has been released, is held by another agency or has a different name or identifier in the system. Do not assume that a missing jail listing means no arrest or criminal court record exists.
Texas statewide records
Texas DPS Criminal Background Checks for Smith County
Smith County court records are different from the Texas Department of Public Safety public criminal-history conviction search. Texas DPS maintains the Computerized Criminal History system, and the public portal provides access to eligible conviction and deferred-adjudication information.
How to search Texas DPS public criminal-history records
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Open the public Texas DPS criminal-history system
Use the public account process. Do not attempt to access secure criminal-justice systems reserved for authorized agencies.
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Create a public account
Follow the DPS account registration instructions, then sign in using the public search route.
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Purchase the required search credits
Texas DPS lists public online search credits at $1 each. Additional card-processing charges may apply.
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Enter accurate search information
Use the full first and last name, and include additional allowed identifiers such as date of birth where known and lawfully appropriate.
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Review matching results carefully
DPS warns that name-based searches can return records for different individuals with similar names. Review available details and do not assume identity based on a name match.
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Use fingerprints for reliable identity confirmation
If you need a record tied to a person’s identity rather than a possible name match, follow the appropriate authorized fingerprint-based review process.
Certified criminal records
How to Request a Certified Smith County Criminal Court Record
When a receiving organization requires proof of a criminal case outcome, request the official document from the Clerk maintaining that case. An online search screenshot is not necessarily acceptable as a certified court record.
Felony documents
Contact the Smith County District Clerk at 100 North Broadway, Room 204, Tyler.
Phone: 903-590-1660
District Clerk Request InformationClass A and B misdemeanor documents
Contact the Smith County Clerk Criminal Division at 200 E. Ferguson Street, Third Floor, Tyler.
Phone: 903-590-4680
Email misdemeanor copy request-
Locate the case
Use the Smith County public portal or existing official paperwork to identify the criminal case number.
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Identify the record keeper
Send felony requests to the District Clerk and Class A/B misdemeanor requests to the County Clerk Criminal Division.
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Specify the document
Ask for a certified disposition, judgment, sentencing order or other exact document rather than requesting an unspecified criminal background check.
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Verify the current cost
Ask about page charges, certification, electronic delivery, mail service or in-person pickup.
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Confirm the final copy
Check the Clerk certification, name, case number, court, date and disposition before using the document for an official purpose.
Historical record access
Older Smith County Criminal Records and Archived Files
Smith County Records Services publishes online coverage starting in 1995 for criminal cases. The County Clerk Criminal Division separately reports records dating to 1976 for Class A/B misdemeanors.
When searching older cases, do not assume an online index includes all archival records, scans, documents or access methods. Identify the proper court and ask the responsible Clerk whether the record is on paper, microfilm, in an archive, or subject to a retention or access restriction.
Smith County Records Services
Address: 1517 West Front Street, Room 150, Cotton Belt Building (Basement), Tyler, TX 75702.
Phone: 903-590-2960.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with a published closure from noon to 1 p.m. Verify availability before visiting.
Fix an unsuccessful search
Why Smith County Criminal Records May Not Appear Online
| Problem | Possible explanation | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| No case found by name | Wrong spelling, alternate name, wrong court or incomplete search terms | Try the case number, alternate spelling or available court filters. |
| Felony record missing from misdemeanor division | Felonies are maintained by District Clerk | Contact District Clerk at 903-590-1660. |
| Misdemeanor record missing from felony office | Class A/B misdemeanors are maintained by County Clerk | Contact Criminal Division at 903-590-4680. |
| Older case not online | Historical index coverage or archival retrieval limitations | Ask the Clerk or Records Services about older files. |
| Jail record missing | Released, transferred, wrong agency or limited portal information | Check the Sheriff’s Office, court docket or actual custody agency. |
| Statewide background result missing | Name mismatch or records outside public DPS scope | Review DPS guidance; consider authorized fingerprint verification. |
| Sealed or expunged record missing | Lawful public access restriction | Seek authorized record-access guidance from the relevant agency or attorney. |
Separate court jurisdiction
Federal Criminal Records Involving Smith County
Federal criminal cases are not maintained by the Smith County District Clerk or County Clerk. For cases prosecuted in federal court, use PACER and the appropriate federal court.
Smith County is within the geographical area of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. If you know that a case is federal, search the federal judiciary’s records instead of the county Odyssey portal.
PACER registration is free, but accessing records may generate charges, subject to the federal judiciary’s applicable fee-waiver rules.
Record accuracy and lawful use
Important Smith County Criminal Record Search Warnings
Check identity and case outcome
- An arrest is not a conviction.
- A filed charge is not proof of guilt.
- A case may include multiple counts.
- A matching name may identify a different person.
- Deferred adjudication is not necessarily equivalent to a final conviction.
- A case can have later orders affecting the result.
Employment, housing and licensing
- Follow applicable FCRA and Texas law.
- Use appropriate authorized background-check procedures.
- Verify records before making consequential decisions.
- Respect sealed, expunged and nondisclosed records.
- Provide notices and dispute opportunities where required.
- Do not use a general public docket as a substitute for a legally required consumer report.
Smith County-specific answers
Smith County Criminal Records Search FAQs
How do I search Smith County criminal records online?
Open the Smith County Odyssey Public Access Portal at portal.smith-county.com/Public/. Use the public case-search tools, search by case number or party name, and review the matching criminal court record.
Is Smith County criminal court search free?
The county provides a public judicial search portal. Ordinary public case lookup may be available without a fee, while certified copies, document retrieval, county criminal-history searches and other services can carry charges.
Where can I find Smith County felony records?
Smith County felony court records are maintained by the District Clerk at 100 North Broadway, Room 204, Tyler, TX 75702. The office’s main telephone number is 903-590-1660.
Where do I search Smith County Class A and B misdemeanors?
Contact the Smith County Clerk Criminal Division at 200 E. Ferguson Street, Third Floor, Tyler, TX 75702, telephone 903-590-4680. The division maintains qualifying Class A/B misdemeanor records.
How much does a Smith County misdemeanor criminal background search cost?
The Smith County Clerk Criminal Division publishes a $5 misdemeanor criminal background search fee, with an additional $1 per printed page. Verify the current charge with the office.
How do I get certified Smith County criminal court documents?
Contact the District Clerk for felony court records or the County Clerk Criminal Division for Class A/B misdemeanors. Provide the case number and specify the certified judgment, disposition or order required.
How far back do Smith County online criminal records go?
Smith County Records Services lists online criminal case coverage from 1995 to the present. The County Clerk Criminal Division separately reports misdemeanor records dating back to 1976. Availability of a particular record may vary.
Where can I find Smith County jail records?
Start with the Smith County Public Search Portal, which the county identifies as a source of available court and jail information. A jail record is not proof of conviction.
Does Texas DPS provide Smith County criminal background checks?
Texas DPS offers a statewide public conviction-information search, distinct from the Smith County judicial portal. The DPS public search requires registration and search credits, and name matches must be carefully verified.
What if I cannot find a Smith County criminal record?
Try the correct court division, case number, alternate spelling or historical record route. Contact the District Clerk for felonies and the County Clerk Criminal Division for Class A/B misdemeanors. Sealed, restricted, older or federal cases may not appear through the county’s public search.
Verified official entry points
Smith County Criminal Records Sources and Contacts
Public judicial and jail records lookup.
Felony cases, documents, copy fees and office details.
Class A/B misdemeanor division, county records and contact information.
Historical coverage, archived documents and records assistance.
County public information requests and record-routing guidance.
Statewide public criminal-history conviction information.
Credits, search criteria, name matching and limitations.
Federal criminal cases outside Smith County state court records.