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 judicial system within El Paso County, Texas. These records document legal proceedings, judgments, and other official actions taken by courts operating within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 51.303, court clerks are responsible for maintaining these records in accordance with state law and local regulations.
Court records typically include:
- Case filings and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence presented during proceedings
- Docket information
- Case dispositions
The Texas Rules of Judicial Administration require that court records be maintained in a manner that ensures their accuracy, security, and accessibility. These records serve multiple purposes, including documenting legal precedent, providing transparency in judicial proceedings, and facilitating the administration of justice within El Paso County.
Records are maintained by various court clerks' offices depending on the court of jurisdiction. For district courts, records are maintained by:
El Paso County District Clerk's Office 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 103 El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 546-2021 El Paso County District Clerk
Are Court Records Public In El Paso County
Court records in El Paso County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) and the common law right of access to judicial records. Members of the public may access most court records without demonstrating a specific need or purpose for viewing the documents.
However, certain exceptions to public access exist:
- Records sealed by court order pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions) as protected under Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Mental health proceedings under Texas Health and Safety Code § 571.015
- Adoption records as specified in Texas Family Code § 162.022
- Records containing sensitive personal information as defined by Texas Government Code § 552.147
The Texas Judicial Branch maintains standards for public access to court records that balance transparency with privacy concerns. Individuals seeking access to court records in El Paso County must comply with established procedures for requesting such information, which may vary by court.
Certain records may require redaction of sensitive information before public release, including Social Security numbers, bank account information, and certain personal identifiers in accordance with Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 21c.
How To Find Court Records in El Paso County in 2025
Individuals seeking court records in El Paso County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Texas Judiciary has implemented various systems to facilitate public access to court information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
El Paso County Courthouse 500 E. San Antonio Ave. El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 546-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When requesting court records in person, requestors should:
- Provide specific case information (case number, party names, filing date)
- Present valid identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies (typically $1.00 per page)
- Allow sufficient time for records to be located and retrieved
For records from municipal courts, individuals may contact:
El Paso Municipal Court 810 E. Overland Ave. El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 212-0215 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Municipal Courts information
For federal court records pertaining to El Paso County, requests should be directed to:
U.S. District Court - Western District of Texas, El Paso Division 525 Magoffin Avenue, Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 534-6725 Western District of Texas court information
How To Look Up Court Records in El Paso County Online?
El Paso County provides digital access to court records through several online platforms. These electronic systems allow for remote searching of case information in accordance with Texas Government Code § 51.303(b), which authorizes electronic access to court records.
The primary online resources for accessing El Paso County court records include:
- El Paso County Records Search - Provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case information for county courts
- El Paso Municipal Court Public Access Portal - Offers online access to municipal court records and calendar information through the FullCourt Enterprise system
- Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) - Provides access to federal court records for cases in the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division
To access municipal court records online, users may visit the El Paso Municipal Court Public Access Portal where they can search by case number, citation number, or party name.
For appellate cases involving El Paso County, the Eighth Court of Appeals maintains electronic records of appellate proceedings.
When searching online records, users should note:
- Some records may require creation of a user account
- Certain documents may only be available in summary form
- Complete case files may still require in-person requests
- Fees may apply for accessing certain documents or detailed information
Can You Search El Paso County Court Records for Free?
El Paso County provides limited free access to court record information, though comprehensive access may involve fees. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public information.
Free search options include:
- Basic case information searches through the El Paso County District Clerk's website
- Limited docket information available through public access terminals at the courthouse
- Case status verification by telephone for pending matters
Fee-based services typically include:
- Printed copies of court documents ($1.00 per page standard fee)
- Certified copies of court records ($5.00 certification fee plus copy costs)
- Complete case file reproductions
- Research assistance from clerk's office staff ($5.00 per name search)
The El Paso Municipal Court provides free online access to basic case information through its public portal, though document retrieval may incur fees. Federal court records accessed through PACER incur charges of $0.10 per page viewed, with a maximum of $3.00 per document.
Individuals experiencing financial hardship may request fee waivers by filing an affidavit of inability to pay costs in accordance with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145.
What's Included in a El Paso County Court Record?
El Paso County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as required by Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. These records provide a complete account of court activities and decisions.
Standard components of El Paso County court records include:
- Case initiation documents (petitions, complaints, indictments)
- Party information (plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys of record)
- Chronological case summary or register of actions
- Filed pleadings, motions, and responses
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence admitted during proceedings
- Financial information (fees, fines, restitution)
- Case disposition and sentencing information
For marriage and divorce records, which are maintained as vital statistics rather than court records, individuals should contact the Texas Department of State Health Services for official documentation.
Court records may also include:
- Jury selection information
- Witness lists and testimony summaries
- Probation and community supervision details
- Appeal notices and related documentation
- Settlement agreements (when filed with the court)
How Long Does El Paso County Keep Court Records?
El Paso County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the authority of Texas Government Code § 441.158. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of court records.
General retention periods include:
- Civil case records: Minimum of 3 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanor criminal cases: 5 years after final disposition
- Felony criminal cases: 20 years after final disposition
- Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
- Probate cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Family law matters: Varies by case type (5-permanent)
- Juvenile cases: Until the individual reaches age 21 or 50 years after final disposition, depending on offense severity
Records of historical significance may be designated for permanent retention regardless of case type. Digital preservation initiatives have expanded the county's capacity to maintain records beyond minimum retention periods.
After the required retention period, records may be:
- Transferred to archives for permanent preservation
- Converted to electronic format for extended storage
- Destroyed in accordance with approved disposition procedures
Individuals seeking older records should contact the El Paso County Archives at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Room 108, El Paso, TX 79901, (915) 546-2071.
Types of Courts In El Paso County
El Paso County's judicial system encompasses multiple court types with varying jurisdictions as established by the Texas Constitution and statutes. These courts form a hierarchical structure handling different case types and severity levels.
The courts operating within El Paso County include:
- District Courts - 11 district courts with general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $200, and family law cases
- County Courts at Law - 7 courts handling misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters between $200-$250,000, and probate proceedings
- Justice of the Peace Courts - 8 precincts handling small claims, evictions, traffic cases, and Class C misdemeanors
- Municipal Courts - Handling city ordinance violations, Class C misdemeanors, and parking citations within city limits
- Federal Courts - The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division, handling federal cases
- Appellate Courts - The Eighth Court of Appeals located in El Paso County reviews cases from lower courts
Specialized courts within the system include:
- Drug Court
- Veterans Treatment Court
- Mental Health Court
- Family Drug Court
- DWI Court
Each court maintains its own records according to Texas judicial administration standards, though centralized access may be available through the District Clerk's office for many court types.
What Types of Cases Do El Paso County Courts Hear?
El Paso County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional boundaries established by Texas law. Case assignments depend on the nature of the legal issue, monetary amounts in dispute, and severity of alleged offenses.
District Courts hear:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil matters with amounts in controversy exceeding $200
- Family law cases (divorce, child custody, support)
- Juvenile matters
- Real property disputes
- Contested probate matters
County Courts at Law handle:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil cases with amounts in controversy between $200-$250,000
- Appeals from justice and municipal courts
- Uncontested probate matters
- Mental health commitments
Justice of the Peace Courts preside over:
- Small claims (up to $20,000)
- Eviction proceedings
- Traffic violations
- Class C misdemeanors
- Preliminary hearings in criminal cases
Municipal Courts adjudicate:
- City ordinance violations
- Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits
- Parking citations
- Code enforcement matters
Federal cases involving El Paso County residents are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, which handles federal criminal prosecutions, civil rights cases, bankruptcy proceedings, and diversity jurisdiction matters.
How To Find a Court Docket In El Paso County
Court dockets in El Paso County provide scheduled hearing information and case status updates. These calendars are maintained pursuant to Texas Rules of Judicial Administration and are generally accessible to the public.
To access court dockets, individuals may:
- Visit the El Paso County District Clerk's website for district and county court dockets
- Use public access terminals at the courthouse located at 500 E. San Antonio Ave., El Paso, TX 79901
- Contact the specific court directly for upcoming hearing information
- Access the El Paso Municipal Court Public Access Portal for municipal court calendars
For federal court dockets, individuals should access the PACER system or contact:
U.S. District Court - Western District of Texas, El Paso Division 525 Magoffin Avenue, Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 534-6725
When searching for docket information, requestors should have:
- Case number (if known)
- Party names
- Approximate date of filing or hearing
- Case type
Docket information typically includes:
- Scheduled hearing dates and times
- Assigned courtroom and judge
- Purpose of hearings
- Filing deadlines
- Case status updates
Which Courts in El Paso County Are Not Courts of Record?
In El Paso County, certain courts do not maintain official verbatim records of proceedings as defined by Texas Government Code § 30.00003. These non-record courts have specific procedural implications, particularly regarding appeals.
Justice of the Peace Courts in El Paso County are not courts of record. This designation means:
- No official transcript of proceedings is created
- Appeals from these courts are handled as de novo trials (new trials) in County Courts
- Proceedings are less formal than in courts of record
- Evidence rules may be applied less stringently
While El Paso Municipal Courts were traditionally non-record courts, the El Paso Municipal Court is now designated as a court of record under Texas Government Code Chapter 30, meaning it maintains official transcripts of proceedings.
For courts that are not courts of record:
- Parties must present their entire case again when appealing
- The higher court does not review the lower court's decision for errors
- No presumption of correctness applies to the lower court's findings
Individuals with cases in non-record courts should maintain their own documentation of proceedings and be aware of the de novo appeal process if they wish to challenge a ruling.
Lookup Court Records in El Paso County
Access El Paso Municipal Court records online
Search federal court records for El Paso cases
Find appellate case information for El Paso County