Hunt County Public Records /Hunt County Court Records

Hunt County Court Records

What Is Hunt County Court Records

Hunt County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's judicial system. These records consist of case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. Court records are distinct from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics (birth, death, marriage certificates), and tax records, which are typically maintained by other county departments.

In Hunt County, court records are maintained by several courts within the judicial hierarchy:

District Courts (196th and 354th Judicial Districts)
County Courts at Law (#1 and #2)
Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4)
Municipal Courts (in incorporated cities)
Probate Court (handled by County Courts)

These courts generate records for various case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims. According to Texas Government Code § 51.303, district clerks are responsible for maintaining records for district courts, while county clerks maintain records for county-level courts as specified in the Texas Local Government Code § 191.001.

The Hunt County District Clerk's Office serves as the official custodian for records of the district courts, while the County Clerk maintains records for the County Courts at Law and other county-level proceedings.

Are Court Records Public In Hunt County

Court records in Hunt County are generally accessible to the public pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) and the common law right of access to judicial records. This legislation establishes the presumption that most government records, including court records, should be available for public inspection.

The following court records are typically available to the public:

Civil case files (with certain exceptions for sealed records)
Criminal case files (post-charging, with exceptions for juvenile records)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets and hearing schedules
Court calendars and schedules

It is important to note that while most court records are public, certain categories may be restricted or sealed by court order, including:

Juvenile proceedings (unless specifically ordered open)
Mental health proceedings
Adoption records
Certain family law matters involving children
Records sealed by judicial order for good cause
Grand jury proceedings

Access to Hunt County court records is also governed by the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, particularly Rule 12, which establishes procedures for requesting access to judicial records. Federal court records for cases heard in federal courts (not county courts) are governed by different access rules through the federal PACER system.

How To Find Court Records in Hunt County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Hunt County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining court records:

In-Person Requests:

Identify the appropriate court where the case was filed
Visit the clerk's office during regular business hours
Complete a records request form (available at the clerk's office)
Provide case information (names, case numbers, filing dates)
Pay applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page for standard copies)
Wait for staff to retrieve records (may be immediate or take several days)

By Mail:

Prepare a written request including case information and contact details
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Send payment for estimated copy fees (call ahead for fee information)
Mail request to the appropriate clerk's office:

Hunt County District Clerk
2507 Lee Street, 3rd Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4190
Hunt County District Clerk

Hunt County Clerk
2507 Lee Street, 2nd Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4130
Hunt County Clerk's Office

Online Access:

Hunt County provides electronic access to certain court records through its online docket search system. This system allows users to search for cases by court, case number, party name, or attorney. Additionally, some records may be available through the statewide eFileTexas system for cases filed electronically.

How To Look Up Court Records in Hunt County Online?

Hunt County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records online. These resources vary in scope and functionality depending on the court and case type.

Hunt County Docket Search:

Navigate to the Hunt County Docket Search portal
Select the desired court from the dropdown menu (options include County Courts at Law #1 and #2, 196th District Court, and 354th District Court)
Choose a date range for the search
Enter any known case information (optional)
Click "Search" to view results
Select a case from the results to view basic case information, including parties, attorneys, and scheduled hearings

District Clerk Records:

Visit the Hunt County District Clerk's website
Navigate to the "Court Records Search" section
Follow the prompts to search by case number, party name, or filing date
Review search results for basic case information
Note that complete case files may require in-person requests

Justice of the Peace Records: Currently, Justice of the Peace court records have limited online availability. Basic case information may be obtained by contacting the specific JP court directly.

Additional Online Resources:

Texas Judicial Branch website - Provides information about the state court system and links to resources
Texas State Law Library - Offers guides to accessing court records throughout Texas

Users should be aware that online access may be limited to basic case information, with full documents requiring in-person requests or additional fees for electronic copies.

How To Search Hunt County Court Records for Free?

Hunt County residents and other interested parties may access certain court records without payment of fees, in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. The following free options are available:

Free In-Person Inspection: Texas law guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.021, members of the public may visit the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours to view records. While inspection is free, copying documents incurs standard fees.

Free Online Resources:

The Hunt County Docket Search provides free access to basic case information, including party names, case types, filing dates, and scheduled hearings
The Hunt County website offers free access to court calendars and general information about court operations

Public Access Terminals: The Hunt County District Clerk's Office and County Clerk's Office maintain public access terminals where visitors can search electronic records at no cost. These terminals are available during regular business hours:

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Excluding county holidays)

Law Library Access: The Hunt County Law Library, located in the Hunt County Courthouse, provides free access to certain legal resources and may assist with basic court record searches:

Hunt County Law Library
2507 Lee Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4194

While basic searches are free, users should note that obtaining certified copies, extensive searches, or document reproduction will incur standard fees as established by county fee schedules.

What's Included in a Hunt County Court Record?

Hunt County court records contain various documents depending on the case type and stage of proceedings. A comprehensive court record typically includes:

Case Initiation Documents:

Petitions or complaints (civil cases)
Indictments or information (criminal cases)
Case information sheets
Service of process documentation
Filing fee receipts

Procedural Documents:

Motions and responses
Court orders and rulings
Hearing notices
Subpoenas
Discovery documents (when filed with the court)
Certificates of service

Evidentiary Materials:

Affidavits and declarations
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Deposition transcripts (when filed)
Expert witness reports
Documentary evidence

Disposition Documents:

Judgments and decrees
Jury verdicts
Settlement agreements (when filed)
Dismissal orders
Sentencing documents (criminal cases)
Probation terms

Post-Judgment Documents:

Appeals notices
Writs of execution
Satisfaction of judgment notices
Probation reports
Modification orders

Administrative Records:

Docket sheets (chronological listing of all case events)
Attorney appearances and withdrawals
Court reporter logs
Judicial assignments
Fee waivers or payment plans

The specific contents vary by case type. For example, divorce cases may include property division agreements and child custody orders, while criminal cases contain charging documents, bail information, and sentencing records.

How Long Does Hunt County Keep Court Records?

Hunt County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under authority granted by the Texas Local Government Code § 203.041. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various document types:

Criminal Cases:

Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after final disposition
Felony cases: 20 years after final disposition
Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
Dismissed cases: 5 years after dismissal

Civil Cases:

General civil litigation: 12 years after final disposition
Tax cases: 20 years after final judgment
Real property cases: Permanent retention
Probate cases: Permanent retention

Family Law:

Divorce records: Permanent retention
Child custody cases: Until the youngest child turns 18, plus 10 years
Adoption records: Permanent retention
Child support cases: 10 years after the youngest child turns 18

Justice and Municipal Courts:

Class C misdemeanors: 5 years after final disposition
Civil cases: 5 years after final judgment
Traffic cases: 5 years after final disposition

Administrative Records:

Docket sheets and indexes: Permanent retention
Court minutes: Permanent retention
Jury records: 3 years
Exhibits: Returned to parties after appeals period; unclaimed exhibits may be destroyed after notice

Hunt County may retain records beyond these minimum periods, particularly for cases of historical significance. Additionally, many older records have been microfilmed or digitized for permanent preservation while the original paper documents may have been destroyed according to retention schedules.

Types of Courts In Hunt County

Hunt County's judicial system consists of several courts with varying jurisdictions and authority levels:

District Courts:

196th Judicial District Court
2507 Lee Street, 4th Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4194
Hunt County District Courts

354th Judicial District Court
2507 Lee Street, 4th Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4230
Hunt County District Courts

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

County Courts:

Hunt County Court at Law #1
2507 Lee Street, 3rd Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4180
Hunt County Courts at Law

Hunt County Court at Law #2
2507 Lee Street, 3rd Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4170
Hunt County Courts at Law

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Justice of the Peace Courts:

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1
2801 Stuart Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4200
Hunt County JP Courts

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1
2801 Stuart Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4210
Hunt County JP Courts

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1
1901 Spur 1570
Commerce, TX 75428
(903) 886-6726
Hunt County JP Courts

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 1
200 Blackland Road
Quinlan, TX 75474
(903) 356-2993
Hunt County JP Courts

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Municipal Courts: Various municipalities within Hunt County maintain their own municipal courts for city ordinance violations and Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits. Contact the specific city for information.

The court hierarchy in Texas proceeds from Justice/Municipal Courts (lowest level) to County Courts, then District Courts, followed by Courts of Appeals, and finally the Texas Supreme Court (for civil cases) or Court of Criminal Appeals (for criminal cases).

What Types of Cases Do Hunt County Courts Hear?

Hunt County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters, with each court type having specific jurisdictional authority as defined by the Texas Government Code and Texas Constitution.

District Courts (196th and 354th):

Felony criminal cases
Civil matters with amounts in controversy over $250,000
Family law cases (divorce, child custody, support)
Juvenile matters
Real property disputes
Probate contests (transferred from County Court)
Appeals from lower courts

County Courts at Law (#1 and #2):

Misdemeanor criminal cases (Class A and B)
Civil cases with amounts in controversy between $20,000 and $250,000
Probate and guardianship proceedings
Mental health commitments
Appeals from Justice and Municipal courts
Concurrent jurisdiction with District Courts in some civil matters

Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4):

Class C misdemeanors (fine-only offenses)
Civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $20,000
Small claims cases (up to $20,000)
Eviction proceedings
Debt claims
Traffic violations
Magistrate functions (arrest warrants, search warrants)
Inquests

Municipal Courts (in incorporated cities):

City ordinance violations
Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits
Traffic violations within city limits
Parking violations
Code enforcement cases

The Texas Judicial Branch provides comprehensive information about court jurisdiction throughout the state. Case assignment within Hunt County follows statutory guidelines, with more serious or complex matters handled by higher courts and simpler matters adjudicated in lower courts.

How To Find a Court Docket In Hunt County

Court dockets in Hunt County can be accessed through several methods, providing information about scheduled hearings, case status, and proceedings:

Online Docket Search:

Visit the Hunt County Docket Search portal
Select the desired court from the dropdown menu
Choose the search criteria (date range, case type, etc.)
Enter any known case information
Review the results showing scheduled hearings and basic case information

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the clerk's office for the relevant court
Request to view the current docket or docket for a specific date
Provide case information if searching for a specific case
Clerks can print docket sheets for a nominal fee

Telephone Inquiries:

Contact the appropriate clerk's office by phone
Provide case information or hearing date
Staff can verify upcoming hearings and provide basic schedule information

Court Bulletin Boards:

Visit the Hunt County Courthouse
Check physical bulletin boards near courtrooms
Daily dockets are typically posted outside each courtroom

For specific court contact information:

District Courts Coordinator
2507 Lee Street, 4th Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4194

County Courts Coordinator
2507 Lee Street, 3rd Floor
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 408-4180

Justice Courts Clerks
(See addresses in previous section)

Docket information typically includes case numbers, party names, hearing types, scheduled dates and times, and assigned courtrooms. For security reasons, certain sensitive cases (such as juvenile matters or cases under protective orders) may have limited docket information available to the general public.

Which Courts in Hunt County Are Not Courts of Record?

In the Texas judicial system, "courts of record" maintain official transcripts of proceedings, while "courts not of record" typically do not create verbatim records of all proceedings. According to Texas Government Code § 27.042, the following Hunt County courts are classified as courts not of record:

Justice of the Peace Courts: All four Justice of the Peace courts in Hunt County (Precincts 1-4) are courts not of record. These courts:

Do not routinely create verbatim transcripts of proceedings
Maintain case files with written documents and judgments
Handle appeals through a process called "trial de novo" (new trial) in County Court
Follow less formal procedures than higher courts

Municipal Courts: Most municipal courts in Hunt County's cities operate as courts not of record, unless specifically designated as municipal courts of record by city ordinance. Currently, no Hunt County municipalities have established courts of record.

In contrast, the following Hunt County courts are courts of record:

196th District Court
354th District Court
County Court at Law #1
County Court at Law #2

These courts maintain official transcripts of proceedings through court reporters or electronic recording systems. Appeals from courts of record are based on the official record rather than through a new trial.

The distinction is important for parties considering appeals, as appeals from courts not of record result in completely new trials in the higher court, while appeals from courts of record involve review of the existing record for errors.