Motley County Police Records

Motley County police records are handled by the Sheriff's Office in Matador, Texas. This Rolling Plains county sits east of Lubbock in a remote stretch of West Texas ranch land. With a population of only about 1,200 people, the county is one of the least populated in Texas. If you need to search for an arrest report, check on a case, or get an incident file, the Sheriff's Office is the only local law enforcement agency. The County Clerk in Matador also holds court records. You can use state databases or contact the courthouse directly to find Motley County police records.

Motley County Sheriff's Office

The Motley County Sheriff's Office is the only law enforcement agency in the county. It handles patrol, criminal cases, and basic jail operations. The office is in Matador and covers almost 1,000 square miles of ranch land with very few people. Deputies cover a huge area with minimal staff.

Despite the small population, the office keeps incident reports, arrest records, and accident files just like any other Texas county. They follow state rules on retention and public access. You can call or visit to ask about records. Because the county is so remote and thinly staffed, it helps to call ahead before visiting. The office also serves warrants and civil papers for the local courts.

Call ahead to make sure someone is available. The small staff means hours can vary. The office handles everything from livestock theft reports to traffic accidents on the rural highways that run through the county. Despite the tiny population, Motley County follows the same Texas law enforcement standards as every other county in the state. All records are subject to the same state retention rules and public access requirements.

Getting Motley County Police Records

Know what type of record you need. Incident reports, arrest logs, and accident reports are different documents. The Sheriff's Office keeps most law enforcement files.

The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) gives you the right to request records. You don't need a reason. Agencies must respond within 10 business days. If they want to hold records back, they must get the Attorney General's approval within 10 business days.

Put your request in writing. Include dates, names, and any case numbers. Mail it to the Sheriff's Office in Matador or call and ask about their process. Paper copies cost $0.10 per page. The first 50 pages may be free. Labor charges of $15.00 per hour can apply. Because the county is small, the volume of records is low compared to other Texas counties.

Motley County Clerk Records

The Motley County Clerk holds criminal case files and civil records. The office is in the Motley County Courthouse in Matador. Given the tiny population, the volume of records is very low. The Clerk also handles property records, marriage licenses, and vital records.

The screenshot below shows the Motley County website, which lists basic county information and office contact details.

The County Clerk phone is (806) 347-2621. The District Clerk at (806) 347-2622 handles felony records for the 110th Judicial District. Motley County shares this judicial district with Dickens, Floyd, and Briscoe counties. Court sessions rotate between these small county seats. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Because Motley County is so small, the volume of court records is minimal. Call ahead before visiting since staff may not always be in the office. The Matador courthouse handles all county business in one building.

Texas Police Records Databases

State databases are especially useful for Motley County since local online tools don't exist. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division has the statewide criminal history system with over 15 million conviction records. Name searches cost a fee. Public access covers convictions and deferred adjudication.

The TDCJ Offender Search is free. It covers inmates and parolees. The TxDOT CRIS system stores police-reported crashes at $6.00 to $8.00 per copy. The TCOLE website provides free officer license verification.

Victim Services in Motley County

The Texas VINE system lets victims track offender custody for free. It covers all 254 counties, including Motley. Register for phone, email, or text alerts. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles provides parole hearing notification. Victims of crimes in Motley County can register for updates and give input on release decisions.

Motley County and Texas Open Records

Under Government Code Chapter 552, anyone can request records from a Texas government body. The agency must respond promptly. If they want to withhold records, they need the Attorney General's approval. Criminal penalties apply to officials who hide records.

Active investigations are a common exception. Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.139, law enforcement must report certain officer-involved incident data. If the Motley County Sheriff's Office denies your request, ask for the ruling letter. Appeal to district court within 30 days. The open government hotline is (512) 478-6736.

Cities in Motley County

Matador is the county seat and the main community. Roaring Springs is a smaller town. Neither meets a large enough population for their own police records page. All police records for the county go through the Motley County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Motley County. Check the incident location before requesting records.