Texas Court Case Lookup

A Texas court case is a legal proceeding initiated by parties in a Texas state court to resolve a dispute or enforce a legal right. Court cases can involve various issues, including criminal allegations, civil disputes, family law matters, probate and estate matters, and more.

In Texas, court cases are typically heard by a judge or a jury based on case type and the nature of the dispute. The parties in a court case will have the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments to obtain a favorable court ruling from the court. The court's decision can be appealed to a higher court if one party is dissatisfied with the outcome.

The Texas court case lookup process enables members of the public to obtain information on a court case heard within state limits. To conduct a case lookup, requestors can typically use the online case search tools provided by the Texas courts. For example, the Appellate Courts Case Search lets individuals search for cases decided by the Texas appellate courts by case number or hearing date, or Re:SearchTX, where interested parties may find some trial court cases and documents. County courts also provide online case search tools to the public. An example is the Travis District Court's Online Case Records Search tool.

Inquirers may also conduct a court case lookup in person by visiting a courthouse in the county where a case was filed to use public computer terminals. In this case, a requester will need to provide the case number or the name of the parties involved in the case. The staff at the courthouse can also assist in retrieving the information one needs.

Are Court Cases Public Record in Texas?

Yes, court cases in Texas are considered public records per the Government Code, Chapter 552. This means that most court proceedings and documents are accessible to the public, including information about criminal cases, civil cases, and family law cases. There are exceptions to this, however. For instance, minor details or information considered confidential by law may not be available to the public. Additionally, the presiding judge in a case may issue an order sealing certain court records if it is necessary to protect a person's right to privacy or to ensure the fairness of the proceedings.

How to Conduct a Texas Court Case Lookup

Members of the public can can conduct a Texas court case lookup using the following options:

Online: The Texas judiciary provides access to some court case information through the Appellate Courts Case Search and Re:SearchTX sites.
In-Person: Requesters can also visit a local court to access court records in person. County courthouses in Texas have a clerk's office where individuals can view and obtain copies of court records.
Mail: Individuals requesting to look up court records by mail will need to provide the case number or party name, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the applicable fee. The procedure for sending mail to a local court is typically available on a court clerk's website.

Note that certain court records are restricted for privacy reasons. Hence, inquirers may need to provide proof of identity when requesting access to court records. Anyone who needs help finding court case information may contact the relevant clerk's office or the Texas State Law Library for assistance.

Can I Get Texas Court Case Documents Online?

Yes. In Texas, court case documents can be obtained online. The Texas Judicial Branch provides public access to case documents online. However, the local court clerk's offices typically only accept online requests for case documents; they do not provide online access to these documents.

Individuals should keep in mind that not all case documents are available online. Records containing sensitive or confidential information are restricted from public access. Additionally, there may be fees associated with accessing court records online.

How to Conduct a Texas Court Case Search by Name

To conduct a court case search in Texas by name, individuals may follow these steps:

Determine the jurisdiction: In Texas, there are various levels of courts, including the justice of the peace courts, county courts, district courts, and appellate courts. Individuals must know the court level at which the case was heard to search for case information.
Access the court's website: Each Texas court maintains a website where people can search for and view information about cases.
Enter a name into the court's search engine: When searching for a case by name, one requires the last (sometimes, first) name of a case participant. This may be the defendant or plaintiff.
Review the results: If the court has information about the case queried, the search results will include a case number, the date the case was filed, a brief description of the case, and other open case details.

Individuals who cannot find the record online may visit the court in person or contact the court clerk by phone or email to request a name search.

What is a Court Case Number?

A court case number is a unique identifier assigned to a legal case by a court of law. It helps the courts track and manage cases while allowing for quick access to related case information.

A court case number typically includes the name of the presiding court, the year the case was filed, and a sequential number. The number is used on all correspondence, documents, and orders filed in relation to a court case.

How to Conduct a Case Number Search in Texas

Anyone who wants to carry out a case number search in Texas can follow the process below.

Locate the custodian: The record of a court case may be preserved in a district court, county court, or a specific court division, such as a family court or probate court.
Find the case number: Case numbers can be found on legal documents related to the case, such as a citation, complaint, or order. A requester who does not have access to these documents can contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed.
Search for the case: Once the requesters have the case number, they can input it into the online case search system provided by the presiding court or on the Texas Judicial Branch's website.
Review the results: The search will bring up information about the case, including the names of the parties involved, the date the case was filed, and any recent developments or court actions.

However, individuals should note that the information available through the case search systems may be limited for criminal cases. In these instances, one may need to request the search directly from the court clerk's office.

How to Remove Court Cases From Public Record in Texas

Texas court cases are considered public information accessible to anyone who requests them. As a result, there are limited circumstances in which a court case may be sealed or expunged to restrict public access. This process of expunging or sealing court records is governed by Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. § 55.01, which applies to criminal case records.

In Texas, a criminal court case may be sealed if the individual arrested for the offense was acquitted or if the charges were dismissed. To seal a record, the owner must file a petition with the court where the case was heard and provide evidence of the acquittal or dismissal.

Expunction or expungement, on the other hand, is a legal process that destroys a person's criminal case record, making it as if the arrest or conviction never happened. In Texas, an individual may be eligible for expunction if:

They were arrested but not charged
Their case was dismissed
The court found them not found guilty, or
They received a pardon

To apply for expunction, an individual must file a petition with the court and provide evidence to support their eligibility.

Not all cases are eligible for sealing or expunction in Texas, and even if a case is eligible, the court has the discretion to grant or deny the request. For anyone seeking to seal or expunge a court case, it is recommended that they consult an attorney knowledgeable in criminal record relief in Texas.

How to Check a Court Case Status in Texas

Individuals can check the status of a court case online with these steps:

Go to the case management system maintained online by the presiding court.
Enter the details about the case (often a case number or participant name) and click "Search".
Look for a case status column or row to determine if the case is closed or pending.

Alternatively, one can visit the courthouse where the case was filed to ask the clerk's office for the information. A call can also be placed to the clerk's office.

How to Find Supreme Court Decisions in Texas

People searching for Supreme Court decisions in Texas can follow these guidelines.

Visit the Texas Supreme Court's website.
Browse the "Case Information" section on the left and click "Orders & Opinions". This action opens a web page where one can search for and access the court's recent and past opinions.

Additionally, an individual can visit the local library or the Supreme Court Clerk's Office to request a specific decision or opinion.

Requesters should note that supreme court decisions are only considered binding if published officially.

What Percentage of Court Cases Go to Trial in Texas?

Every year, several cases are filed within the Texas judicial system. According to the Texas Judiciary's Annual Statistical Report, the courts received over 6.9 million filings and disposed of more than 6.4 million cases in 2021. However, only a small percentage of these cases ever go to trial.

Of the 184,000 criminal cases disposed of in the Texas district courts in 2021, for example, only 3.6% made it to a trial by judge and 0.8% to a trial by jury. The remaining 96% were resolved by a guilty or no contest plea. Meanwhile, of the roughly 173,000 civil cases disposed of in the court, only 8% went to a bench trial and 0.1% to a jury trial. Among the slightly above 272,000 family cases disposed of by the district courts, only 0.04% Mowas by a jury trial and 27% by bench trial.

This low frequency of court trials is also evident in the county courts. Of the over 270,000 criminal cases disposed of in the county courts in FY 2021, >1% were disposed of by bench trial, and only 0.2% were disposed of by jury trial. Of the roughly 76,000 civil cases disposed of in the county courts, >1% was by jury verdict and 6% by a bench trial (trial by judge).

Additional data can be obtained by reviewing the annual statistics reports.

How Long Does a Court Case Last in Texas?

The length of a court case in Texas varies depending on the type of case and its specific circumstances. In general, criminal cases in Texas tend to move more quickly than civil cases. Criminal trials are generally set within a matter of weeks or months. However, the time frame to resolution varies depending on the case's complexity and the court's caseload.

On the other hand, civil cases can take much longer to resolve. The length of a civil case also depends on various factors, including the complexity of the matter, the number of parties involved, the speed at which the parties can exchange information, the availability of judges and courtrooms, and the number of continuances requested by parties. In some cases, civil suits can take several years to resolve.

How to File a Case in Court in Texas

Filing a case in court in Texas involves several steps, which are outlined below:

Determine the appropriate court: A plaintiff must determine which court has jurisdiction over their case based on the type of case and the location of the parties involved.

Prepare the necessary documents: The plaintiff must draft a complaint, a legal document outlining their claims against the other party. Courts may provide a civil complaint form that petitioners may obtain from a clerk's office or website. Other documents (like a motion) may also need to be gathered, depending on the type of case.

File the complaint and pay the filing fee: After preparing the necessary documents, the plaintiff must file them with the appropriate court and pay the filing fee. This fee varies by case and court.

Give legal notice: Once the complaint has been filed, the plaintiff must serve the defendant (the accused party) with a copy of the complaint and other required documents (e.g., a summons). Service can occur in person, by mail, publication, or other acceptable means.

Respond to the complaint: The defendant(s) will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint by filing an answer and other necessary documents.

Attend court hearings and follow court orders: Subsequently, the case will go through the court system. The litigants may need to attend court hearings or participate in court proceedings, such as discovery.

Note that the rules and procedures for filing a case in court in Texas may vary. Hence, litigants are often encouraged to consult an attorney before taking a case to court.

What Does It Mean if a Court Case Was Resolved Before the Trial Date?

If a court case was resolved before the trial date, it means that the parties involved settled or used another form of resolution that did not require a full trial. Examples include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or plea bargaining.

In some cases, the parties may resolve their cases without requiring a judge's involvement. In other cases, a judge may facilitate the resolution, for example, by holding a settlement conference or encouraging alternative dispute resolution.

The resolution of a case before trial can save time and resources for all parties involved. It also helps parties avoid the uncertainty of a full trial: the parties can resolve the case on their own terms rather than having an order imposed upon them by the court.