Ellis County TX Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court

Ellis County, Texas · Jail bookings, arrest reports, misdemeanor and felony court records

Trace an Ellis County Arrest From Jail Booking to the Court Outcome

Start with the official Ellis County inmate roster, verify the booking and arresting agency, then move to the correct misdemeanor or felony court record.

This guide also covers report requests, warrants, bond, visitation, inmate mail, phone calls, commissary, appointed counsel, victim notifications, Texas DPS criminal histories and record clearing.

ELLIS RECORD TRAIL VERIFYING
INMATE ROSTER ELLIS
JAIL
REPORT
COURT
ELLIS COUNTY COURTS
BOOKING + COURT MATCHED
Arrest does not mean conviction. A jail booking documents custody and allegations. It does not establish guilt, and the charges displayed at booking may differ from the charges later filed in court.
Current inmates

Use the Sheriff-linked live inmate roster.

Jail information

972-825-4931.

Misdemeanors

County Clerk Criminal Division.

Felonies

District Clerk and Ellis district courts.

Jail capacity

Wayne McCollum Detention Center: up to 856.

Start here

Choose the record that answers your question

ELLIS COUNTY JAIL Is the person booked or held?

Use the current inmate roster for jail custody, booking identifiers and listed charges.

Best first stop for a recent Ellis County Jail admission.
ARRESTING AGENCY What did the officer report?

Request the incident report, arrest report or releasable investigative records from the agency that created them.

Jail custody does not mean the Sheriff wrote the police report.
COUNTY CLERK Is it a misdemeanor?

The Ellis County Clerk serves as clerk for misdemeanor criminal cases.

Criminal Division: 972-825-5062.
DISTRICT COURT Is it a felony?

Felony records go through the District Clerk and district courts. Ellis County states the 443rd District Court hears all felony criminal cases by local agreement.

Do not search only the County Clerk for a felony.
Best verification sequence: Jail booking → arresting agency → misdemeanor or felony court → final disposition → statewide DPS history only when necessary.

Go directly to the Ellis County task

Booking decoder

What an Ellis County booking record actually tells you

Use the booking as a starting point—not the final criminal history
Field What it means What it does not prove Next action
Booking number A particular Ellis County jail intake. Final court disposition. Save it for jail and records questions.
Arrest date Date connected to law-enforcement custody. Exact offense date. Compare the police report.
Booking date When jail intake occurred. When court charges were filed. Use it to separate repeat bookings.
Arresting agency Police or sheriff agency responsible for the arrest. The jail owns that agency’s report. Request the report from the named agency.
Charge Allegation entered during arrest or booking. That prosecutors filed or proved it. Read the criminal court case.
Bond A current release entry associated with the case. One payment clears all holds. Confirm every case and warrant first.
Hold Another court or agency may control release. Local Ellis County bond controls everything. Ask which agency owns the hold.
Release The jail custody event ended. Dismissal or acquittal. Verify the court disposition.
Mugshot A jail-processing photograph. Guilt or even identity by itself. Match booking number and other identifiers.
Identity safeguard

Confirm the right person before relying on the arrest

Full first and last name match
Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent
Date of birth or age matches when available
Booking date matches the known event
Arresting agency fits the location
Booking number matches another official source
Court case follows the same arrest
Final disposition belongs to that case
Never identify a person by name or mugshot alone. Match at least two independent identifiers before publishing, paying money or treating the record as belonging to a specific person.
No-result troubleshooting

No Ellis County arrest record found? Check these causes

The arrest is very recent Booking, fingerprinting, medical intake, property processing and data entry may still be underway.
The person was cited instead of jailed A criminal citation may create a court case without an Ellis County Jail booking.
The arrest happened outside Ellis County Search the county where the person was physically booked.
A municipal police department made the arrest The detailed incident report may be with Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak or another municipal department.
The person was released quickly Call Jail Information if an expected current result has disappeared.
The name is different Try a maiden name, former name, suffix, shortened first name or alternate spelling.
The person was transferred Check another county, TDCJ or federal custody when the Ellis booking has ended.
The record is restricted Juvenile, expunged, nondisclosed or otherwise confidential information may not appear publicly.
Missing-booking call script
I am trying to confirm the booking or custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date if known]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person was booked into Ellis County Jail, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Arrest-to-court timeline

What happens after an Ellis County arrest?

Police or sheriff investigation The arresting agency creates its incident, offense, arrest and evidence records.
Wayne McCollum booking Jail staff process identity, property, charges, warrants, financial accounts and custody information.
Classification and housing The jail evaluates criminal history and physical, mental and behavioral conditions before assigning housing.
Magistration and release decision A judicial officer addresses accusations, rights, release conditions and counsel.
Prosecutor review The County & District Attorney determines what charge, if any, proceeds in court.
Misdemeanor or felony court Misdemeanor records are maintained through the County Clerk; felony matters go through the District Clerk and district court system.
Case proceedings The docket may include hearings, amended charges, warrants, motions, pleas and trial.
Disposition Each count can end in dismissal, acquittal, deferred adjudication, plea, conviction or another order.
Correction or record relief Incorrect DPS data can be corrected, while eligible records may qualify for expunction or nondisclosure.
Record custodian

Send the request to the office that actually owns the record

Ellis County criminal information is split among several offices
Record needed Correct source Best identifier Common mistake
Current jail custody Ellis County Sheriff Name + booking number Calling the County Clerk.
Sheriff arrest report Ellis County Sheriff Open Records Report number + date Requesting it from the court.
City police report Arresting municipal police department Agency report number Assuming Ellis Jail owns every report.
Misdemeanor case Ellis County Clerk Court case number Searching only the Sheriff roster.
Felony case District Clerk / District Court District court case number Requesting felony records from County Clerk.
Texas criminal history Texas DPS Crime Records Accurate legal name and identifiers Treating the jail roster as statewide history.
Open records

Request an Ellis County Sheriff arrest or incident report

Current submission rule: The Sheriff’s current public-information page states that Open Records requests are accepted through the designated email process. Use the official page to obtain the current protected submission address rather than sending a request to the media/Public Information Officer.
Confirm the Sheriff created the record If a city police department made the arrest, request that department’s report instead.
Put the request in writing A written request is required to trigger Texas public-information obligations.
Name the exact documents Ask for the arrest report, offense report, probable-cause document or identified supplement.
Give precise identifiers Include full name, date, location, report number, booking number and court case number when known.
Add your contact information The Sheriff’s published procedure requests the requester’s name, mailing address and phone number.
Ask for electronic copies Request digital delivery if the releasable record already exists electronically.
Set a cost limit Ask for a written estimate before work exceeds a stated dollar amount.
Use the Sheriff’s current submission instructions Do not send the request to the PIO. Open Ellis County Sheriff Open Records
The Sheriff states that gathered records are reviewed through the District Attorney’s Office to determine what may legally be released. If responsive information cannot be produced within ten working days, the published procedure says the requester will be notified of a reasonable availability date.
Copy-ready request wording
I request an electronic copy of the releasable arrest report, offense or incident report, probable-cause documentation and identified supplements concerning [full legal name] for the incident on or about [date] at [location]. Known identifiers include Sheriff report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if charges will exceed $[amount], and identify the basis for material withheld or redacted.
Court verification

Find what happened after the Ellis County booking

Identify whether the case is misdemeanor or felony This determines which clerk maintains the criminal case.
Use the court case number whenever possible Case numbers reduce same-name mistakes.
Match the arrest date and defendant Make sure the court case corresponds to the jail event you researched.
Find the charging document Do not assume the jail charge is identical to the prosecutor’s filed allegation.
Read amended charges A count can be added, reduced, replaced or dismissed.
Check warrant entries chronologically A warrant can later be served, recalled or otherwise resolved.
Locate the final disposition Look for dismissal, acquittal, deferred adjudication, plea, conviction or judgment.
Request formal proof when necessary Obtain the clerk’s certified record rather than relying on a booking page or screenshot.
Misdemeanor cases

Use the Ellis County Clerk for misdemeanor criminal records

Ellis County Clerk – Criminal Division
109 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Criminal Division: 972-825-5062
Main: 972-825-5070
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Open the County Clerk records service Ellis County provides an online service for viewing and printing court records. Open Ellis County online court records
Search the criminal case Use the defendant name and case number when available.
Read the most recent docket activity Verify that an older charge or warrant entry was not later changed.
Find the disposition Identify how each misdemeanor count ended.
Contact the Criminal Division for certified proof Tell the clerk the exact case and document needed.
The County Clerk specifically directs users seeking felony records to the Ellis County District Clerk.
Felony cases

Use the Ellis County district-court system for felony records

Ellis County states that, by agreement between local judges, the 443rd Judicial District Court hears all felony criminal cases, including felony writs, pre-indictment motions, jury trials, pleas and other dispositions.
Do not use only the County Clerk The County Clerk’s page directs felony-record users to the District Clerk.
Obtain the district case number Look at court paperwork, bond paperwork, attorney records or the available court index.
Confirm indictment or information A felony booking allegation can change before or after grand-jury action.
Read every disposition separately Multi-count felony cases can contain different outcomes for different counts.
Request certified documents from the clerk Specify whether you need the indictment, dismissal, judgment, sentence or other order.
Use the court page for current procedures Open the 443rd Judicial District Court
443rd Judicial District Court
109 S. Jackson Street, Third Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Phone: 972-825-5284
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Warrant verification

Check an Ellis County warrant without relying on an old listing

The Sheriff’s Warrants Division executes warrants from Ellis County District and County Courts and also receives warrants from other agencies. The Sheriff’s current public page does not provide a universal online warrant lookup comparable to the jail roster.
Search the related criminal court case first Look for warrant-issued, served, recalled or other later entries.
Check the correct court level Misdemeanor and felony warrants may be associated with different clerk systems.
Check municipal or outside-county cases separately The Sheriff may execute a warrant that originated outside the Ellis County court system.
Confirm current status with the responsible authority Call the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at 972-825-4901 for appropriate routing.
Use a lawyer when the possible warrant concerns you Counsel can advise on appearance, surrender, bond and court procedure.
Never confront or attempt to detain a person based on a possible warrant. Similar names, recalled warrants and delayed records can create dangerous mistakes.
Do not pay an unexpected warrant demand through gift cards, cryptocurrency, QR codes or a text-message link. Independently contact the court or Sheriff’s Office.
Bond and release

Confirm every Ellis County bond and hold before paying

Wayne McCollum Detention Center’s processing area includes public-accessible property, bond and release areas. The Sheriff states that people can use these areas to post bonds, pay applicable fines or retrieve qualifying property.
Confirm the correct person and booking Have the full name and booking number ready.
List every charge Do not assume the first displayed bond controls the entire booking.
Ask about every hold or warrant Another court or agency can prevent release.
Confirm the current bond type and amount Jail information: 972-825-4931.
Confirm where payment must be made Follow the jail or court instructions for the specific case.
Verify a private bondsman before signing Review the premium, collateral, payment schedule and refund terms in writing.
Keep every receipt and agreement Save the case number, booking number and proof of payment.
Allow release processing Payment does not mean the person can immediately walk out if another hold or administrative step remains.
Bond-verification script
I am calling about [full legal name], booking number [number]. Please confirm every active charge, the current bond or release condition for each charge, every outside hold, the accepted payment method and whether any court action is still required before release.
Defense counsel

How an Ellis County defendant requests appointed counsel

Ellis County’s district-court materials include court-appointed attorney procedures for indigent criminal defendants. A person who cannot afford counsel should request appointed representation through the court handling the criminal case.
Ask for a lawyer at the first court opportunity Do not wait until a later hearing if the defendant cannot afford private counsel.
Complete the required financial information Eligibility generally requires information about income, assets, expenses and dependents.
Confirm which court has the case The correct court depends on the charge and procedural stage.
Do not discuss the case on ordinary jail calls Personal calls are not a substitute for confidential attorney communication.
Keep attorney contact information Record the appointed lawyer’s name, office number and next court date.
Victim services

Get custody notifications and crime-victim assistance

Texas changed county victim notification systems on September 1, 2025. The statewide county system is now Texas IVSS-Counties rather than the former VINE system.
Collect the offender and case identifiers Use the booking number, defendant name, report number and court case number.
Register for Texas IVSS-Counties The service can provide booking, release, court-event, escape, death and TDCJ-transfer notifications. Open Texas victim notification services
Choose notification methods Available options can include phone, text and email.
Call for 24/7 assistance when needed Texas IVSS-Counties support: 866-268-8959.
Ask the investigating agency for its Crime Victim Liaison A local liaison can help explain case information and available services.
Apply for eligible crime-related costs Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation can help qualifying victims with certain medical, counseling, lost-wage and other crime-related expenses. Review Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation
Texas Crime Victim Services
Toll free: 800-983-9933
Austin: 512-936-1200
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central
Video visitation

Schedule an Ellis County Jail visit correctly

All Ellis County Jail visits are video visits. A newly arrested person may need up to 24 hours to receive an assigned housing unit before visitation becomes available.
Confirm the person is still in custody Recheck the inmate roster before registering or traveling.
Wait for housing assignment The Sheriff states that assignment can take up to 24 hours after arrest.
Create a JailATM account Select Video Call from the JailATM service. Create the visitation account
Select the correct Ellis County inmate Verify the legal name and booking information before scheduling.
Choose an available appointment Same-day scheduling does not guarantee a visit.
Arrive before the scheduled time Late arrival reduces the available visit time.
Bring authorized identification Every adult visitor age 18 or older must provide authorized ID.
Recheck the schedule before leaving home Visiting times can change without notice because of jail operations.

Published visitation schedule

Days

Tuesday through Saturday.

Hours

12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Last sign-in

7:30 p.m.

Visit allowance

Visitor may sign up for one visit per day
Inmate may receive two visits per week
Each published visit is 20 minutes
All onsite and remote visits use video
Visits require housing assignment
Same-day scheduling is not guaranteed
Visitor rules

Avoid losing an Ellis County Jail visit

Identification
  • Adults 18 and older need authorized ID.
  • Use the same identity information used to schedule.
  • Make sure the inmate and booking are correct.
Clothing
  • Shorts cannot be excessively short.
  • Published Sheriff guidance says shorts must be no shorter than about one to two inches above the knee.
  • Wear ordinary, non-disruptive clothing.
Visiting area
  • No smoking.
  • No food or drinks.
  • Searches may occur when legally justified.
  • Follow detention staff instructions.
The Sheriff’s Office reserves the right to deny a visit when rules are violated or when staff determine the visit conflicts with facility safety or security.
Updated inmate mail system

Send ordinary and legal Ellis County Jail mail to different addresses

Ordinary personal mail

JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail
Inmate ID: Full Name and Booking Number
2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809
Fort Worth, TX 76109

The mail is scanned and sent electronically to the inmate.

Legal, medical and publisher mail

Inmate Full Name
Inmate Book-In Number
C/o Wayne McCollum Detention Center
300 S. Jackson St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Current scanned-mail limits

Include inmate name and Sheriff’s booking number
Include a return address
Maximum page size: 8.5 × 11 inches
Maximum five pages per mailing
Write on front side only
Maximum one photograph per mailing
Scanned items are electronically delivered
Original scanned mail is destroyed after processing
Do not send legal or medical mail to the Fort Worth scanning address. The Sheriff states that legal and medical correspondence must go directly to the detention facility.

Books, magazines and newspapers

Use the Waxahachie facility address Publisher material does not go to the ordinary scanning center.
Use publisher subscriptions The Sheriff says books, magazines and newspapers must come from the publisher rather than ordinary retail-vendor shipments.
Send soft-backed material only Follow the jail’s current publishing and security restrictions.
Avoid staples Material containing staples is returned.
Respect subscription limits The Sheriff publishes a maximum of two active subscriptions at a time.
Inmate phone service

Know when an Ellis County inmate can call

During booking

  • Inmates can make free local calls.
  • Many cell-phone numbers are not treated as local.
  • Calls can be used to arrange bail.
  • The person can notify family.
  • The person can attempt to reach an attorney.

After housing assignment

  • Calls are collect calls.
  • Recipient is responsible for the collect-call charge.
  • Weekday calling window: 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
  • Weekend window: 10:00 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
  • Ordinary messages are not passed through detention staff.
Correct Solutions inmate-phone support
877-618-3516
Personal jail calls should not be treated as confidential attorney communications.
Money and commissary

Add funds without sending money to the wrong account

Ellis County operates commissary seven days a week. Available products can include hygiene items, snacks and other approved items.
Confirm the inmate and booking number Do not deposit money based only on a matching name.
Allow the financial account to activate The Sheriff’s visitation guidance states that it can take approximately 24–48 hours after book-in.
Use the Sheriff-approved TouchPay service Deposits may be made through the jail lobby, online or by phone. Open TouchPay
Select the correct facility and inmate Verify all displayed identity information before payment.
Review the service fee Third-party processing charges can apply.
Keep the confirmation number Save the amount, payment method and booking information.
TouchPay telephone deposits: 866-232-1899
Texas state custody

When to switch from Ellis County Jail to TDCJ search

Use TDCJ when

  • The person has been transferred to Texas state-prison custody.
  • You need the TDCJ number.
  • You need the current state facility.
  • You need state-prison mail or visitation information.

Do not use TDCJ alone for

  • A recent Ellis County arrest.
  • A pretrial Ellis County detainee.
  • The original arrest report.
  • The complete court disposition.
  • A statewide criminal-history report.
Texas statewide history

Use Texas DPS only when a county booking is not enough

A Texas DPS criminal-history search is not the same as a free Ellis County inmate lookup. DPS information can combine reported Texas arrests and dispositions subject to Texas access rules.
Create a Crime Records account when required The DPS online criminal-history service requires a secure-site account.
Purchase search credits DPS currently lists search credits at $1 each.
Account for card-processing charges DPS currently lists a 2.25% fee per credit plus a $0.25 transaction fee for credit-card purchases.
Enter accurate identifiers First and last name are required; additional information improves matching.
Review every possible match A name-based result can still be confused with another person.
Compare each arrest with the court disposition Missing disposition information should be corrected rather than assumed.
Texas DPS Crime Records – Access & Dissemination
Phone: 512-424-2474
Record correction

Fix a wrong Ellis County or Texas criminal-history entry

Identify where the error appears Determine whether the problem is the jail record, police report, court case or DPS history.
Save the incorrect record Record the booking number, report number, case number and disputed field.
Obtain the controlling proof Use a certified dismissal, judgment, amended order or corrected agency record.
Correct the originating agency first A court error belongs with the court; an arresting-agency error belongs with that agency.
Submit certified proof to DPS when the statewide history is wrong DPS Error Resolution evaluates possible errors in Texas criminal-history records.
Recheck every connected system A correction by one agency may not instantly update all other systems.
Texas DPS Criminal History Error Resolution
Email: error.resolution@dps.texas.gov
Texas record relief

Expunge or restrict an eligible Ellis County arrest record

Expunction

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55 provides procedures for permanently removing qualifying arrest and criminal-history records.

Order of nondisclosure

A qualifying record is restricted from ordinary public disclosure but remains available to authorized criminal-justice and specified noncriminal-justice entities.

Ellis County states that the 443rd Judicial District Court handles expunctions and nondisclosures where jurisdiction is mandatory.
Collect every Ellis County case number Use the jail booking, police report, court record and DPS history.
Obtain the final disposition Eligibility depends heavily on how the arrest and prosecution ended.
Decide whether the goal is expunction or nondisclosure They have different eligibility standards and legal effects.
Review the Texas DPS explanation DPS recommends obtaining your criminal history and consulting qualified legal counsel when determining expunction eligibility. Review Texas DPS record-relief information
Use current Texas nondisclosure forms Texas Judicial Branch publishes separate forms for the different nondisclosure statutes. Open official Texas nondisclosure forms
File in the proper Ellis County court Do not file solely based on where the jail is located; use the court and statute that have jurisdiction.
Pay the applicable filing costs or request relief when available Confirm current fees directly with the clerk before filing.
Serve all required agencies Expunction procedure can require notice to multiple law-enforcement and criminal-history entities.
Attend a hearing when ordered Bring the petition, certified dispositions and supporting documents.
Keep certified copies of the signed order They are important if an agency or private criminal-history provider continues publishing restricted information.
Do not confuse correction and record relief. Use DPS Error Resolution when information is factually wrong. Expunction or nondisclosure applies when accurate information may legally qualify for removal or restricted disclosure.
Texas DPS states that criminal arrest information otherwise remains on the person’s criminal-history record indefinitely unless legal relief or another authorized correction changes its availability.
Contacts and locations

Ellis County jail, Sheriff and criminal-court contact board

Ellis County Sheriff / Jail
300 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Jail: 972-825-4931

Sheriff Administration

972-825-4901

Administrative offices: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sheriff Dispatch

972-937-6060

24 hours a day.

Criminal Investigations

972-825-4913

Ellis County Clerk Criminal Division
109 S. Jackson Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5062

County Clerk Main Line

972-825-5070

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

443rd District Court
109 S. Jackson Street, Third Floor
Waxahachie, TX 75165

972-825-5284

Texas DPS Crime Records

512-424-2474

For statewide criminal-history questions.

Wayne McCollum Detention Center map

Ellis County Courts and Administration map

Before traveling: Confirm current custody, the correct court, office hours, visitor approval and whether the record or service is available online.
Useful details already extracted

What you can solve on this page without opening ten government sites

Jail lookup

Correct roster, jail phone, booking verification and no-result troubleshooting.

Court routing

County Clerk for misdemeanors, District Clerk and district courts for felonies.

Police records

Written-request requirements, identifiers, review process and request wording.

Jail visitation

Tuesday–Saturday schedule, housing delay, two weekly inmate visits, 20-minute sessions and ID rules.

Mail and communication

Current scanning address, five-page rule, one-photo rule, legal-mail address and calling windows.

Record correction and relief

DPS Error Resolution, expunction, nondisclosure and the Ellis County court responsible for mandatory-jurisdiction filings.

Title-related questions

Ellis County TX arrest-record questions answered

How do I search Ellis County arrest records?

Use the Sheriff-linked inmate search for an Ellis County Jail booking, verify the identifiers and then search the appropriate misdemeanor or felony court record.

How do I check who is in Ellis County Jail?

Use the official inmate-search link published by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office or call Jail Information at 972-825-4931.

Does a jail charge mean the person was convicted?

No. Booking charges are allegations. The prosecutor and court record determine the formal charges and final outcome.

Where are Ellis County misdemeanor records?

The Ellis County Clerk maintains misdemeanor criminal court records. The Criminal Division number is 972-825-5062.

Where are Ellis County felony records?

Felonies are handled through the District Clerk and district courts. Ellis County states that the 443rd District Court hears all felony criminal cases by local agreement.

How do I request a Sheriff arrest report?

Submit a written Open Records request through the Sheriff’s current designated procedure and include the person’s name, incident date, location, report number and booking number when known.

When can I visit Ellis County Jail?

The published schedule is Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., with last sign-in at 7:30 p.m. All visits use video.

What is the personal inmate-mail address?

Ordinary personal correspondence goes to JailATM.com – Ellis County Jail, 2830 S. Hulen St. Box 809, Fort Worth, TX 76109, with the inmate’s full name and booking number.

How do I search a Texas statewide criminal history?

Use Texas DPS Crime Records. The online system requires an account and search credits, currently listed at $1 per credit plus applicable card-processing charges.

Can an Ellis County arrest be expunged?

Some Texas records qualify for expunction or nondisclosure depending on the facts and statute. Ellis County states that the 443rd District Court handles expunction and nondisclosure matters where jurisdiction is mandatory.

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