Culberson County Police Records
Culberson County police records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Van Horn and by Texas state agencies that collect criminal justice data from across the state. You can search for arrest records, incident reports, jail bookings, and court case information tied to this far West Texas county. Culberson County spans over 3,800 square miles along the I-10 corridor between El Paso and the Pecos River. Van Horn is the county seat and the main population center. The Sheriff's Office handles all patrol, investigation, and detention duties. This page shows you where to look for police records and how the request process works.
Culberson County Overview
Culberson County Sheriff's Office
The Culberson County Sheriff's Office in Van Horn is the sole law enforcement agency for the county. It covers a vast area that includes Guadalupe Mountains National Park, portions of I-10 and I-20, and miles of open desert. Deputies handle criminal investigations, traffic stops, and calls for service. The office also runs the county jail and keeps records of all arrests and incidents.
Highway traffic plays a big role in the Sheriff's work. I-10 carries heavy truck and passenger traffic through Van Horn. Drug interdiction, DWI enforcement, and highway crashes generate a steady flow of police reports. The office cooperates with DPS troopers and U.S. Border Patrol agents who also operate in the area.
| Office | Culberson County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Location | Van Horn, TX 79855 |
| Website | co.culberson.tx.us |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The jail is small. Booking records include the person's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and court assignment. People sentenced to state prison can be tracked through the TDCJ Offender Information Search for free.
How to Search Culberson County Police Records
Start with state tools. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division has the Computerized Criminal History system. It holds more than 15 million conviction records dating back to 1975. A name search costs $3.00. Only convictions and deferred adjudications are in the public results. Arrests without a conviction are not shown.
The re:SearchTX portal covers court records. You can look up criminal cases from Culberson County by name or case number. The site shows filings, hearings, and case outcomes. No fee to search.
For local records, contact the Sheriff's Office. Incident reports, detailed booking logs, and other documents that are not in statewide databases require a direct request. Call ahead or send a written request with the person's name, date of the event, and any report numbers you have.
Records Requests in Culberson County
The Texas Public Information Act gives anyone the right to request government records. You do not have to explain your reason. Submit your request in writing to the Culberson County Sheriff's Office. Include as much detail as you can.
Response time is 10 business days. Copies run $0.10 per page for standard size. The first 50 pages may be free. Labor charges of $15.00 per hour can apply for large searches. If the cost goes past $40.00, you get an estimate first. You can inspect records at the office for free under Section 552.271 of the Government Code.
Records from open cases can be held back under Section 552.108. Juvenile records and medical data are also exempt. If a request is denied, the agency must seek an opinion from the Attorney General within 10 days. The open government hotline is 1-877-673-6839.
Tip: Van Horn is remote. Call first to confirm what records are available and whether the office can take your request by email or fax.
Culberson County Resources Online
The Culberson County website lists county offices with their contact information and hours.
Use the site to find phone numbers and addresses for the Sheriff's Office, County Clerk, and District Clerk before making the trip to Van Horn.
Crash reports from Culberson County highways go into the TxDOT CRIS database. Reports cost $6.00 standard or $8.00 certified. They become public 60 days after the crash. Officers file them within 10 days per Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065. With all the highway miles in this county, crash reports are a common type of police record that people request.
Police Records Laws for Culberson County
State law governs all police records in Culberson County. The Public Information Act is the framework for public access. Convictions are public through DPS. Arrest records without a final outcome are not available to the general public.
Expunction under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 lets people erase arrest records for dismissed or acquitted cases. Orders of nondisclosure can also limit access to certain records. These legal protections mean some records you search for may not appear in public databases.
The Texas VINE system covers Culberson County. Victims can register for free alerts when an offender is booked, released, or transferred. Sign up at VINELink or call 1-877-894-8463. The TCOLE license lookup lets you verify any peace officer's credentials in the state at no cost.
Cities in Culberson County
Van Horn is the county seat and only significant community. There is no separate city police force. The Sheriff's Office provides all law enforcement. No cities in Culberson County are served by the county sheriff for most law enforcement needs.
El Paso is the nearest major city, located in El Paso County about 120 miles to the west.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Culberson County in far West Texas. Verify the location of the incident before requesting records.