Jefferson County, Texas State Court Records
Jefferson County court records are created when public or private organizations, residents, or the government initiate civil or criminal proceedings in the county's trial courts. These records include the documents filed with the clerk's offices and clerk-generated information, such as case numbers, filing dates, case calendars, and case dockets. Nevertheless, some documents filed with the clerk and used as supporting evidence, such as tax statements and arrest reports, are produced by other local agencies, such as law enforcement.
In Jefferson County, courts that create court records include District, County, Magistrate, Justice, and Municipal Courts, all with different jurisdictions. Individuals can contact the clerks responsible for each office to obtain its case records.
Are Jefferson County Court Records Public?
Yes. The public has the right to inspect and obtain court records under common law (court rulings) and court rules, such as Rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. However, custodians will deny access to requested records if they are protected under Texas law, a court rule, or a federal statute. Sealed court cases or information are also unavailable to the public.
Examples of protected records include expunged criminal case files, child visitation and custody information, documents from juvenile proceedings, social security numbers, and unexecuted warrants.
What Information is Available in Jefferson County Court Records?
Details that the public can view in Jefferson County court records include
- Party names (names of judges, defendants, plaintiffs, attorneys, arresting officers, etc.)
- Case details, including filing dates, case events, case numbers, and case titles
- Filed documents, such as indictments, financial statements, motions, complaints, affidavits, and evidence
- Court orders, including search and arrest warrants, summonses, subpoenas, release orders, bail, and restraining orders.
- Court rulings, decrees, opinions, judgments, and jury verdicts
Jefferson County Court Records Search
How an individual searches for a court record depends on which custodian manages it. Determining the custodian of record involves identifying the court with jurisdiction over the case.
District Clerk
The District Clerk manages the District Court's records, which include documents from civil matters worth above $500, felony prosecutions, contested elections, land title disputes, and family law matters. The District Court, as the court of general jurisdiction, also handles appeals from county courts.
The District Clerk's office provides an index of its civil, criminal, and family cases on its website, featuring party names, case numbers, and filing dates.
Visiting the clerk's office to view or order case files is another option. Individuals can contact the office for details about other methods, such as mail-in requests, using the following address information:
1085 Pearl Street
Room 203
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8580
Fax: (409) 835-8527
County Clerk
Cases from the county's statutory County Courts at Law, which include misdemeanors (Class A and Class B), and civil matters valued between $500 and $325,000, produce the records kept in the County Clerk's custody. Records generated during Appeals from Municipal and Justice Courts, and State Agency administrative hearings, also reside with the clerk.
The office allows members of the public to view court files onsite for free. Email, telephone, and mail-in requests for certified and non-certified copies are also available.
Justice Courts
Justice Courts (also Justice of the Peace Courts), which have jurisdictional limits within unincorporated county areas, handle Class C misdemeanors, cases valued at $20,000 or less, evictions, and small claims. Some courts also hear juvenile matters.
The presiding precinct provides access to these court case records.
Municipal Courts
Like Justice Courts, Municipal Courts handle Class C misdemeanors, but they also cover city ordinance violations and traffic infractions within city limits. Interested parties can contact the specific Municipal Clerk of the court presiding over the case.
Magistrate Court
Magistrate judges in Jefferson County preside over preliminary hearings in criminal cases to determine bail, bond, and release conditions. The court also approves arrest and search warrants, protective orders, injunctions, and mental health orders. The magistrate clerk can provide these documents.
Fees for Court Records in Jefferson County
Clerks in the county charge the following fees for different services:
- Plain copies: $1 per page
- Certification: $5 per document
- Assisted records search without case number: $5
Jefferson County Courthouse Locations
The following are court addresses and contact details in Jefferson County, Texas:
District Courts
Jefferson County Courthouse
1149 Pearl Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8434 (58th District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8472 (60th District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8481 (138th District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8485 (172nd District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8431 (252nd District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8655 (279th District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8588 (317th District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8431 (Criminal District Court)
Phone: (409) 835-8506 (Drug Impact Court)
County Courts
1149 Pearl Street
Suite 202
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8470
Fax: (409) 784-5813
1085 Pearl Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8429
1085 Pearl Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8698
Justice Courts
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1
1085 Pearl Street
Room 105
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8522
Fax: (409) 835-8523
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2
1085 Pearl Street
Room 104
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 835-8457
Fax: (409) 839-2393
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2
525 Lakeshore Drive
Port Arthur, TX 77640
Phone: (409) 983-8325
Fax: (409) 989-3680
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4
19217 Farm to Market Road 365
Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 434-5460
Fax: (409) 794-1637
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6
1225 Pearl Street
Suite 118
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 839-2333
Fax: (409) 839-2303
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7
7933 Viterbo Road
Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 719-5900
Fax: (409) 724-2148
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8
525 Lakeshore Drive
Port Arthur, TX 77640
Phone: (409) 983-8330
Fax: (409) 989-3670
Municipal Courts
Beaumont Municipal Court
700 Orleans Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
Phone: (409) 980-7200
Fax: (409) 980-7244
Groves Municipal Court
4201 Main Avenue
Groves, TX 77619
Phone: (409) 960-5748
Fax: (409) 960-5747
Nederland Municipal Court
1400 Boston Avenue
Nederland, TX 77627
Phone: (409) 723-1526, (409) 723-1506
Fax: (409) 723-1549
Port Arthur Municipal Court
645 4th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77640
Phone: (409) 983-8686
Fax: (409) 983-8759
Port Neches Municipal Court
1201 Merriman Street
Port Neches, TX 77651
Phone: (409) 722-1438
Fax: (409) 721-9643
Criminal Records Access in Jefferson County
While criminal court cases produce criminal documents and related information, law enforcement arrests, detentions, and post-conviction programs also contribute to the county's criminal records.
For felonies, the public can contact the District Clerk. The County Clerk maintains Class A and Class B misdemeanors. For Class C misdemeanors, the public can approach Justice Courts if the offense occurred within unincorporated parts of the county and Municipal Courts in the city where the violations occur.
The Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain records created to document arrests or processing for alleged offenders.
The Criminal Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety offers background check services (name and fingerprint), which serve as the most comprehensive criminal history records, to statutorily authorized entities. Details from the service include every interaction a subject had with the criminal justice system, from their initial arrest to the final conviction. The division's Criminal History Conviction Name Search is open to the public and provides complete historical details of convictions for Class B misdemeanors or greater offenses to registered users.
Jefferson County Probate Records
Probate cases, initiated to administer estates, probate wills, handle guardianships and conservatorships, are under the jurisdiction of the Jefferson County Court's Probate Division. These cases produce records, such as wills, petitions, inventories, accountings, letters of administration, guardianship filings, and final orders. The County Clerk, which serves as the court's custodian, keeps the filed and collected records.
One can use the clerk's in-person, email, telephone, mail-in, and online options to view or purchase these records.
Jefferson County Family Court Records
The County Court handles family violence issues, and records from these cases can be accessed through the County Clerk's office. However, people seeking records from other family cases, such as divorce, child custody and visitation, parental rights, adoption, paternity, and spousal support, can approach the District Clerk.
Federal Court Records in Jefferson County
Federal court records, produced in federal courts, contain the same elements found in Jefferson County court records, including petitions and motions, warrants, summonses, and judicial opinions.
Specifically, federal records in Jefferson County are maintained by the Beaumont division of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The court handles federal criminal cases filed by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas; disputes between two or more states; civil lawsuits in which the federal government is a party; matters concerning other countries; and constitutional cases. The federal bankruptcy court in the region also handles federal bankruptcy cases.
The court's case records are available online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system (PACER). The clerk's office provides other methods, from in-person inspection at onsite public terminals to mail-in requests and inspections.
