harris county criminal records guide and common mistakes

Understanding the basics

Criminal records in Harris County summarize arrests, charges, court filings, dispositions, and sentencing, linking events to a person via identifiers such as date of birth and case number. Not everything is public: sealed, expunged, and most juvenile matters are removed from routine searches, and a shared name alone never proves identity.

How and where to search

You can review cases through the District Clerk’s online case search for felony and misdemeanor dockets, the Sheriff’s inmate and warrant tools for custody status, and the Texas DPS criminal history system for statewide checks. Each database updates on its own schedule, so details may temporarily differ.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing arrests with convictions: charges dismissed or acquitted are not convictions.
• Ignoring date filters: missing the correct time span hides relevant cases.
• Relying on name only: verify with DOB, case number, or address.
• Overlooking case status: “filed,” “disposed,” and “closed” mean different things.
• Trusting third-party summaries: confirm with official court records.
• Missing sealing/expunction notes: dissemination rules limit what you may use.

Use records responsibly; pull certified copies for decisions, note context like plea deals or deferred adjudication, and consult an attorney for compliance in hiring, housing, or licensing.