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El Paso County Court Records

What Is El Paso County Court Records

El Paso County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system. These records document various legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violations. Court records typically contain information about the parties involved, case details, hearing dates, judgments, and other relevant legal documentation.

The El Paso County Courthouse maintains these records as part of its commitment to transparency in the judicial system. Records are managed by the El Paso County Clerk's Office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105, El Paso, TX 79901.

Are Court Records Public In El Paso County

Yes, most court records in El Paso County are public information under Texas law and the Freedom of Information Act. The Texas Public Information Act establishes that government records, including court documents, should be accessible to citizens with certain exceptions.

However, some records may be sealed or redacted to protect sensitive information, including:

  • Cases involving minors
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health proceedings
  • Certain family court matters
  • Cases sealed by judicial order
  • Records containing personal identifying information

The Texas Attorney General's Office at 300 E. Main St., Suite 500, El Paso, TX 79901 provides guidance on public information access in the state.

How To Find Court Records in El Paso County in 2025

To find court records in El Paso County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the El Paso County Clerk's Office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105, El Paso, TX 79901 in person to request records.

  2. Visit the specific court where the case was heard:

    • El Paso County Courthouse at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., El Paso, TX 79901
    • El Paso County Courthouse Annex at 500 E. Overland Ave., El Paso, TX 79901

  3. Use online resources:

    • El Paso County Court Records Portal
    • Texas Judicial Branch website

  4. Submit a written request to the Records Department at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105, El Paso, TX 79901.

  5. Contact the El Paso County District Clerk's Office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 103, El Paso, TX 79901 for district court records.

How To Look Up Court Records in El Paso County Online?

El Paso County offers several online resources to access court records:

  1. El Paso County Case Records Search Portal (https://portal-txelpaso.tylertech.cloud/SecurePA/Login.aspx) - This official portal allows searches for civil, family, and probate case records.

  2. FullCourt Enterprise (https://public.fce.elpasotexas.gov/fullcourtweb/start.do) - This system provides access to municipal court records and calendars.

  3. El Paso County Public Records Portal (https://elpasocountycourt.org/public-records/) - This site offers access to various public records, including court documents.

  4. Texas Judicial Branch Website - For statewide court information.

To use these systems effectively:

  • You'll need basic case information (names, case numbers, dates)
  • Some systems require registration or fees
  • Not all records are available online due to privacy restrictions

The El Paso County IT Department at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 302, El Paso, TX 79901 provides technical support for online record access.

Can You Search El Paso County Court Records for Free?

Yes, there are free options for searching El Paso County court records:

  1. Basic case information is available at no cost through the El Paso County public access terminals located at the County Clerk's Office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 105, El Paso, TX 79901.

  2. The El Paso County Law Library at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 1201, El Paso, TX 79901 offers free access to certain legal resources and court records.

  3. Some online searches provide basic case information for free, though detailed documents may require payment.

  4. In-person requests for viewing (not copying) records are typically free.

However, fees may apply for:

  • Printed copies (typically $1-$2 per page)
  • Certified copies (additional certification fee)
  • Extensive research requests
  • Expedited services

The El Paso County Clerk's Office can provide current fee schedules for record requests.

What's Included in a El Paso County Court Record?

A typical El Paso County court record includes:

  1. Case Information:

    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Case type
    • Court assignment

  2. Party Information:

    • Names of plaintiffs/defendants or petitioners/respondents
    • Attorney information
    • Contact details (may be redacted)

  3. Case Documents:

    • Petitions and complaints
    • Answers and responses
    • Motions and briefs
    • Court orders and judgments
    • Hearing transcripts (if requested)
    • Evidence exhibits (if filed)

  4. Case History:

    • Chronological listing of events
    • Hearing dates and outcomes
    • Filing dates of documents
    • Service of process information

  5. Disposition Information:

    • Final judgment or outcome
    • Sentencing details (in criminal cases)
    • Settlement information (if applicable)

The El Paso County Records Management Department at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 108, El Paso, TX 79901 oversees the maintenance of these records.

How Long Does El Paso County Keep Court Records?

El Paso County retains court records according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission retention schedules. Retention periods vary by case type:

  • Criminal Cases:

    • Misdemeanors: Minimum 5 years after final disposition
    • Felonies: Minimum 25 years to permanent (depending on severity)

  • Civil Cases:

    • Most civil cases: 12 years after final disposition
    • Tax cases: 20 years after final judgment
    • Real property cases: Permanent

  • Family Law:

    • Divorce records: Permanent
    • Child custody: Until the youngest child turns 18, plus 10 years
    • Adoption: Permanent

  • Probate Cases:

    • Wills and estate administration: Permanent
    • Guardianship: 10 years after termination of guardianship

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission at 1201 Brazos St., Austin, TX 78701 establishes these retention guidelines.

Types of Courts In El Paso County

El Paso County has a multi-tiered court system:

  1. District Courts (State Courts)

    • Handle felony criminal cases, civil cases over $200,000, family law matters
    • Located at El Paso County Courthouse at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., El Paso, TX 79901

  2. County Courts at Law

    • Handle misdemeanors, civil cases between $20,000-$200,000, probate matters
    • Located at El Paso County Courthouse at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., El Paso, TX 79901

  3. Justice of the Peace Courts

    • Handle small claims (up to $20,000), traffic cases, Class C misdemeanors
    • Multiple locations throughout the county

  4. Municipal Courts

    • Handle city ordinance violations, Class C misdemeanors, traffic tickets
    • El Paso Municipal Court at 810 E. Overland Ave., El Paso, TX 79901

  5. Specialized Courts

    • Drug Court
    • Veterans Court
    • Mental Health Court
    • Family Drug Court
    • Located within the main courthouse complex

What Types of Cases Do El Paso County Courts Hear?

El Paso County courts hear a wide range of cases:

  1. Criminal Cases:

    • Felonies (murder, robbery, drug trafficking)
    • Misdemeanors (DWI, simple assault, theft under $2,500)
    • Traffic violations

  2. Civil Cases:

    • Personal injury claims
    • Contract disputes
    • Property disputes
    • Debt collection
    • Evictions and landlord-tenant issues

  3. Family Law:

    • Divorce proceedings
    • Child custody and support
    • Adoption
    • Protective orders
    • Name changes

  4. Probate Matters:

    • Will validations
    • Estate administration
    • Guardianships
    • Mental health commitments

  5. Juvenile Cases:

    • Delinquency proceedings
    • Child in need of supervision cases

The El Paso County District Attorney's Office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 201, El Paso, TX 79901 prosecutes criminal cases in the county.

How To Find a Court Docket In El Paso County

A court docket is a schedule of cases to be heard by a court. To find a court docket in El Paso County:

  1. Online Methods:

  2. In-Person Methods:

    • Visit the clerk's office for the specific court
    • Check bulletin boards outside courtrooms
    • Visit the El Paso County District Clerk's Office at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 103, El Paso, TX 79901

  3. By Phone:

    • Call the specific court clerk's office
    • Use automated docket information systems where available

  4. By Email:

    • Some courts offer email subscription services for docket notifications

Most dockets are published 1-2 weeks in advance, though they may change frequently.

Which Courts in El Paso County Are Not Courts of Record?

In El Paso County, the following courts are not courts of record, meaning they don't maintain official transcripts of proceedings:

  1. Justice of the Peace Courts

    • These courts handle small claims, traffic violations, and Class C misdemeanors
    • Appeals from these courts are heard de novo (completely new trial) in County Courts
    • El Paso has multiple JP precincts throughout the county

  2. Some Municipal Courts

    • While El Paso has municipal courts of record, some smaller municipalities may operate non-record municipal courts
    • These handle city ordinance violations and Class C misdemeanors

Cases from non-record courts can be appealed to courts of record, where they receive a completely new trial rather than a review of the previous proceedings.

The Texas Office of Court Administration at 205 W. 14th St., Suite 600, Austin, TX 78701 oversees the classification of courts throughout the state.

Lookup Court Records in El Paso County

For convenient access to El Paso County court records, you can use these official resources:

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