Denton County Court Records
A Denton County court record is a compilation of documents and data regarding an issue handled in a county court. These records are stored in different forms, including electronic, paper, and microfilm. The clerk of the court is the official custodian of case records in Denton County, Texas.
Denton County case records have a vital role in the judicial system. They carry a court's litigations, actions, and decisions. As such, they can provide an accurate and detailed history of the legal process. Furthermore, case records contain final judgments that can be cited in similar cases. The records can also be reviewed during appeal proceedings and used for educational and research purposes. Consequently, these records are considered part of Denton County Public Records and made available to interested and eligible requesters.
Are Court Records Public in Denton County?
Yes. However, the judicial system in Texas is not subject to its open records policy (the Public Information Act), and Rule 12 (which governs access to judicial records) does not apply to court records.
Common law and court rules guide access to court records in Texas. Under these provisions, courts can prohibit a record's release or limit access to protect sensitive information, protect a party, or otherwise comply with the law. Examples of such case records include adoption records, mental health records, and trade secrets. Even so, most Denton County court records are open to the public and can be accessed through the county's custodians.
What Do Denton County Court Records Contain?
Information one may find in a Denton County court record includes:
- Case information (case number, case type, filing date, judicial officer, hearing dates)
- Party information (including the party name, biodata and information relevant to the case)
- Court orders and judgments
- Filed case documents (motions, pleadings, answers, etc.)
- Exhibits
- Transcripts
Where to Conduct a Denton County Case Lookup
Members of the public can conduct a Denton County case lookup in the following places:
- The Denton County Case Records Search website
- The Office of the County Clerk
- Texas State Library and Archives (TSLAC)
How to Conduct a Denton County Case Records Search
Here's how to conduct a Denton County case record search in person or online:
Online Case Records Search
Interested persons can access the Denton County Records Inquiry to conduct an online case record search for cases filed since 1990. By inputting a case number, filing date, case party's name, or attorney of record's information, an inquirer can find and view case records produced in the county courts at law, justice of the peace precincts, and district courts in Denton County, Texas.
In-Person Case Records Search
Alternatively, a person may visit the courthouse where a case was filed to request a case records search (and obtain copies, if necessary). The Denton County Records Inquiry site can be searched to find the presiding court. Next, the interested party can stop by during working hours to speak to the court clerk's office staff.
Courts in Denton County utilize different request procedures (including fees charged for copies). As such, contacting a court's records custodian (the clerk's office) or checking the clerk's web page for related information is a good idea. For example, those who want a district court case records search must fill out a request form, which can be submitted online, via mail, via email, or in person. Fees for submitting such requests are included in the form.
Denton County Civil Court Case Records
A Denton County civil court case record includes all documents filed or information created in connection with an issue presented before a civil court. Generally, the court that hears a civil case keeps records of the proceeding.
A member of the public who wants to get a Denton County civil case record can access the Denton County Records Inquiry system or in person at the courthouse where the case was heard. It may also be possible to obtain a case file by sending a written request to the courthouse. For example, the Civil Records Request form (available on the county clerk's website) can be used to obtain civil case information from the Denton County courts of law.
Denton County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records in Denton County cover criminal cases heard within the county. To obtain such records, one may visit the presiding courthouse to speak to staff at the court clerk's office, or they may access the Denton County Records Inquiry tool on the county government's website.
The records custodian of a court may also provide a blank request form online to obtain criminal court case records. An example is the Denton County Clerk's Criminal Records Request form.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Court records from the district, county, and justice of the peace courts in Denton County can be obtained for free through the Denton County Records Inquiry website. The site offers remote access to electronic case information, which is deemed public. However, one can only view information in a case record on the portal. Actual plain or certified copies of court records cannot be downloaded or ordered from the website. An individual must hand-deliver, fax, email, or mail a written request to a presiding court to obtain copies of court records. A court's records custodian can also be contacted for assistance in obtaining court records in Denton County.
Members of the public can also access court records for free on some third-party sites. These sites are typically accessible with a case party's first and last name. However, a user may need to pay to access detailed records, as the search results are typically limited for unpaid users.
Courts in Denton County, Texas
The county of Denton has various justice of the peace, county, district, and municipal courts. Each court hears the cases within its jurisdiction.
Justice of the Peace Courts
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
1 Courthouse Drive
Suite 1100
Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-3170
Fax: (940) 349-3171, (972) 434-8857
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
5533 FM 423
Suite 901
Frisco, TX 75036-8975
Phone: (972) 434-7200
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
400 North Valley Parkway
Suite 2012
Lewisville, TX 75067-3530
Phone: (972) 434-4750
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
6200 Canyon Falls Drive
Suite 101
Flower Mound, TX 76226
Phone: (972) 434-3910
Fax: (972) 434-3911
Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
1400 FM 424
Suite 124
Cross Roads, TX 76227-7284
Phone: (940) 349-3460
Fax: (940) 349-5230
Justice of the Peace Precinct 6
1029 W Rosemeade Parkway
Carrollton, TX 75007-6251
Phone: (972) 434-7100
Fax: (972) 434-7101
County Courts
The county courts in Denton include the county courts at law, criminal, magistrate, and probate courts. Some court addresses are listed below.
County Court at Law 1
210 South Woodrow Lane
Charlie J. Cole Building
Denton, TX 76205
Phone: (940) 349-2520
Fax: (940) 349-2521, (972) 434-8842
County Court at Law 2
1450 East McKinney Street
Suite 2510, 2nd Floor
Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2120, (972) 434-8851
Fax: (940) 349-2121
Probate Court No. 1
3900 Morse Street
Suite 100
Denton, TX 76208
Phone: (940) 349-2036
Fax: (940) 349-2141
District Courts
Denton County's district/family courts are located at the same courthouse (on different floors) at the following address:
1450 East McKinney Street
Denton, TX 76209
For example, while the 16th, 158th, and 211th district courts are on the 3rd floor, the 431st and 442nd district courts are on the 4th floor.
Persons looking for a municipal court in Denton County can review the Texas Judiciary's Municipal Courts by City online directory.
