Court records for Travis County, Texas, are maintained by the District Clerk's office and the County Clerk's office. To search for public information on court cases, you can use the resource TravisCourt.us. Additionally, records are available through the official District Clerk portal, the County Clerk's office, and other government databases. Below is a detailed overview of the county's court system and the procedure for accessing records.
Travis Court System Overview
Travis County is part of the 3rd Administrative Judicial Region of Texas. The county's court system is multi-tiered: it includes district courts, county courts, justice of the peace courts, and the Austin Municipal Court. District courts handle serious criminal cases (felonies) and large civil claims, while county courts focus on misdemeanors and smaller civil disputes.
The District Clerk's office is responsible for managing district court cases — criminal, civil, and family. The County Clerk maintains county court records and registers real estate documents, marriage licenses, and vital records.
Courts Serving Travis
Residents of the county are served by several levels of courts — from local to federal.
District Courts
Travis County has several district courts that handle criminal and civil cases. Information about criminal district courts can be found on the county's official website.
County Courts
County courts at law handle misdemeanors, civil claims with smaller amounts, and appeals from justice of the peace courts.
Justice of the Peace Courts
Travis County has five justice of the peace courts. Records from these courts are available through Odyssey Public Access.
Austin Municipal Court
Federal Court
Travis County is part of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, headquartered in Austin.
What Types of Cases Travis Courts Hear
Travis County courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations
- Civil claims of various levels
- Small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support
- Probate and guardianship
- Juvenile cases
- Child protection cases
- Adoption
Each type of case is assigned to the appropriate court based on jurisdiction, as described in the following sections.
District Court Cases in Travis
District courts in Travis County have jurisdiction over serious criminal cases — from felony charges to significant civil claims where the amount exceeds the county court's jurisdictional limit ($200,000). This also includes family cases: divorce, child custody, termination of parental rights.
A criminal case usually begins with an indictment by a grand jury or the filing of information by a prosecutor. The case is then assigned to a specific judge. The criminal case schedule can be viewed through the Criminal Docket Search. District court judges are elected for four-year terms and specialize in specific categories — criminal or civil.
Magistrate Court Cases in Travis
County courts at law in Travis County handle Class A and B misdemeanors, civil claims ranging from $200.01 to $200,000, and appeals from justice of the peace courts. Justice of the peace courts (JP courts) have jurisdiction over civil claims up to $20,000, eviction cases, small claims up to $20,000, and minor criminal offenses.
Traffic violations and minor offenses (Class C misdemeanors) are handled by justices of the peace or the municipal court. Preliminary hearings in felony cases (examining trials) can also be conducted at the magistrate level. Due to the high volume of cases in the county, judges often specialize in specific categories.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Travis
Family Law
Cases involving divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders are handled by district courts specializing in family matters. The District Clerk maintains records of these cases. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be ordered through the District Clerk's office or via Texas DSHS Vital Statistics.
Probate and Guardianship
Probate, guardianship, and trust matters are handled by the specialized Probate Court of Travis County. These cases include the approval of wills, appointment of executors, and management of incapacitated persons' estates.
Juvenile Cases
Juvenile cases are handled by specific judges in the juvenile court. Juvenile case records are confidential under Texas law. Access is restricted and granted only to authorized individuals.
How Cases Move Through the Travis Court System
- Case Initiation: A criminal case begins with the filing of a complaint or indictment; a civil case starts with the filing of a petition with the appropriate court's clerk's office.
- Judge Assignment: The case is assigned to a specific judge according to the court's internal rules.
- Initial Hearings: In criminal cases — arraignment (announcement of charges and determination of bail); in civil cases — scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial Stage: Filing motions, exchanging evidence (discovery), plea negotiations or settlement discussions.
- Trial: The case is resolved by a jury verdict, judge's decision, parties' agreement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Sentencing, filing an appeal, enforcement of the court's decision.
You can check the court date through the criminal docket search system.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Travis
The administrative district judge coordinates the work of the courts in the judicial region, which includes Travis County. Local court rules are available on the Texas Judicial Branch website.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and cases where the court has issued an order of nondisclosure. Public information requests can be submitted through the county public information department.
Court hearings are generally open to the public. Some hearings may be conducted remotely — confirm this with the specific court's clerk's office before visiting.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Travis
- District Court Case Search: Civil, family, and criminal (felony) cases are available through the District Clerk portal. Certified copies can be ordered by mail or in person.
- Justice of the Peace Courts Records: Odyssey Public Access allows searching for criminal, civil, and probate cases of justices of the peace.
- Criminal Docket: Criminal Docket Search — check the court date a day before visiting the court.
- Criminal History Check: At the county level — through the District Clerk; at the state level — through the Texas DPS Criminal History Search.
- Warrant Search: Warrant Search of the Travis County Sheriff. Search Austin police warrants through the Austin PD Warrant Search.
- Inmate Search: Find an Inmate — Travis County Sheriff's database. For state system convicts — TDCJ Inmate Search.
- Real Property Records and Documents: Search and copies of records through the County Clerk, including real property documents.
- Property Taxes: Tax account search through the Travis County Tax Office.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage certificates are available through the County Clerk or Texas Vital Records.
- Law Library: Travis County Law Library assists with court case searches and provides resources for self-representation.