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Andrews County Court Records Lookup

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Andrews County Courts, TX *

Andrews County Courts, TX

Andrews County's economy depends on the fortunes of the Permian basin oil, making the County's courts' major workload a mix of legal matters relating to the energy industry, such as contractor disputes and royalty disagreements.

Texas's uniquely layered court system has different courts that handle different case types. The county has four levels of courts, with each of them operating its own processes and procedures. Each court system has its own jurisdiction, judge, and clerk.

Overview of the Andrews County Court System

Before filing a case, it is important to understand the court in which you should file your case. Texas's court multi-layered system has different courts that handle different cases depending on the case type, complexity, and amount of money in question. Andrews County runs its operation on the same structure. Different courts have unique processes, rules, and regulations that govern them.

The 109th Judicial District Court is the highest trial court in the county. The judge serves the three counties, so hearing slots fill faster than they would if each county had a dedicated judge. The District Clerk's Office handles records for that court, and all other county-level records, including probate filings, misdemeanor criminal records, and official public documents, are held by the County Clerk's Office. The office has maintained records going back to 1881.

Most court records in Texas are open and accessible to anyone. However, the standard exceptions apply to records in juvenile and sealed cases, and certain mental health proceedings. Andrews County supports online record searches and electronic filing, which saves you the drive to the courthouse.

Types of Courts in Andrews County, TX

Types of Courts in Andrews County, TX

Before filing a single form, you must determine the court level that applies to your case. The case type, the dollar amount in dispute for civil matters, and the grade of any criminal charge determine where a case belongs. Filing in the wrong court means rejection and a potential deadline problem.

District Court

The 109th District Court holds the general jurisdiction of Andrews County. It handles all minor and major charges from criminal to civil cases. Residents should confirm the available hearing dates with the District Clerk if they file a case through this trial court because its schedule is shared among Andrews, Crane, and Winkler counties. Alternatively, the Court Schedule provides a complete guide to the court's rotations.

Case hearings in this trial court include:

  • Juvenile offenses
  • Family matters
  • Civil proceedings of any settlement amount
  • Criminal cases
  • Statutory appeals from the lower courts

Constitutional County Court

Every Texas county has one Constitutional County Court with an elected County Judge presiding over it. Also, the Judge chairs the Commissioners Court. This structure can occasionally affect the court schedule, especially during budget season. Hence, litigants need to double-check the hearings schedule before visiting the courthouse.

Cases handled include:

  • Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Civil disputes with amounts in controversy between $500 and $250,000
  • Probate matters
  • Involuntary mental health commitment hearings
  • Appeals from Justice of the Peace and Municipal Court decisions

The County Clerk's Office serves as the clerk for the County Court and maintains all related case records.

Primary Location: Andrews County Courthouse

Justice of the Peace Courts

Andrews County has two Justice of the Peace precincts. The courts serve residents by handling their cases without lawyers. As a result, these courts process the highest volume of cases in the county and are typically the first point of contact for residents dealing with a traffic citation, a small debt, or an eviction. The rulings of the Justices of the Peace carry full legal authority even though the justices are elected and are not licensed attorneys. They may also issue warrants, conduct death inquests, and perform marriage ceremonies.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Class C misdemeanor offenses are punishable by fine only, with no jail
  • Small claims civil disputes involving amounts less than $20,000
  • Eviction proceedings
  • Traffic citations and minor motor vehicle violations
  • Truancy matters and debt collection cases within the monetary limit

The Justices of the Peace page on the county website lists contact information for both precincts. The page also contains links to downloadable case information sheets for small claims, evictions, and debt claims

Primary Location: Andrews County Justice of the Peace

Municipal Court

The City of Andrews operates its own Municipal Court that oversees the city's legal matters. This court is separate from the county court system and handles only cases that occur within the city limits. However, the rulings can be appealed to the County Court.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Class C misdemeanor violations of state law within the Andrews city limits
  • City ordinance violations, such as noise complaints, code enforcement citations, and zoning infractions
  • Traffic infractions issued by the Andrews Police Department

You can pay your Municipal Court fines online or by mail without appearing in person.

Primary Location: Andrews Municipal Administration Building

How to Access Andrews County Court Records

How to Access Andrews County Court Records

Court records in Texas are accessible to the public except for juvenile files, sealed cases, and records protected by the law. Accessing the file can either be online or in-person, depending on preference and restrictions.

Online Access

Andrews County residents can access information online through an online public records search portal covering property records and official public filings. Also, Texas Appeals Management and eFiling System (TAMES) allows access to the appellate records from the Supreme Court of Texas, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Courts of Appeals. Lastly, for a small fee, you can access Federal cases in the Western District of Texas.

Alternative Online Options

In case you are not sure of where to locate specific information, third-party tools like CourtCaseFinder have aggregated data that can help you identify the right jurisdiction by searching across multiple counties. As much as the site has thoroughly researched information, it is important to verify the most recent information from the court of interest.

In-Person Requests

Some records are not located on the online platform. Where you get the information depends on the case type you are looking for. Records of felony criminal cases, divorces, and other district-level matters are typically maintained by the Andrews County District Clerk's Office. On the other hand, if you are looking for misdemeanor cases, probate matters, or certain civil filings, you would instead visit the Andrews County Clerk's Office.

The cost of a copy of a standardized document is $1 per page, with a $5 certification fee per document. To avoid rejection, carry your ID, case information, and the fee for the document in question.

Archived Records

Old records that predate the digital age might not be on the online platforms. Some older materials may no longer be on file under the state's records retention schedule. If you want to access them, you can visit the county clerk for assistance. Also, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission may hold historical records transferred from the county.

You can request vital records, including birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses, through the county's Vital Records portal.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Licensed attorneys filing in Texas district and county courts are required to use the statewide eFileTexas portal. The rotational schedule of the 109th District Court could create availability gaps. Ensure you double-check the filing deadlines and hearing availability with the District Clerk's Office before submitting time-sensitive documents. Do not assume standard timing.

Licensed attorneys should first determine the type of report they need before beginning their inquiry because Andrews County court records are available in different locations.

Most online court records safeguarded by the County Clerk include:

  • Juvenile
  • Civil issues
  • Probate matters
  • Misdemeanors
  • Guardianship
  • Mental health

In the database, you may encounter "closed records", which are protected against unauthorized disclosures. Missing records are available in person at District and County offices. They are accessed by paying a service fee, which differs according to the document type.

How to File a Case in Andrews County

How to File a Case in Andrews County

Andrews County has four courts that handle different cases. The reason for filing should determine where the case should be submitted and form availability. You should follow the steps below to avoid repeating the filing process

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Andrews County's court system is divided among four court jurisdictions with different duties and services. You should make legal consultations or research before filling out the forms to reduce the chances of rejection. Some of the information can be obtained through a simple search of official county websites.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

After settling for a court, choose a standardized template available at no cost from the Texas Judicial Branch. If you face difficulties during the form completion, you can get assistance via Texas Court Help. Personnel at the clerk's office can also guide you through the different requirements. You should thoroughly check whether all information, including the signature and supporting data, is included before submission. Files with missing items affect legal deadlines as they are returned for refilling.

Step 3: File Your Case

You can submit your case online or in person. All family, civil, criminal, and probate cases filed through an attorney must be uploaded to the state's eFile system. Andrews County offers helpful tips for e-filing for users who do not have legal representation. For the self-represented litigants, the court excludes them from the eFiling option. They can file the case in person at the respective court clerk's office, depending on the case type. Family law matters, felony criminal cases, and larger civil cases are filed with the District Clerk's Office, while misdemeanor cases, probate matters, and certain civil filings are handled by the County Clerk's Office. You will be given a case number and a stamped copy of the record after correctly filing the paperwork.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

The fee depends on the case file and the court's jurisdiction. You can access the structure for civil cases for free through the District Clerk's database. Users who cannot afford the costs are encouraged to submit a claim of inability to pay via the Texas Judicial Branch. You should be careful when paying electronically, as fees below $10 are nonrefundable.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

The next step in the filing process is informing the other party about an upcoming case. Formal notification can be done through the Sheriff or the official mail service. Files served to individuals living outside Andrews should be returned to the filing attorney as directed by the District Clerk's Office. In some cases, such as foreclosure, all adult individuals living in the house must be served, with the service fee paid by the claimant. You should keep copies of proof of service as the court requests them before a hearing.

Step 6: Monitor Your Case

The final step is monitoring your case status. Keep an eye on important details such as court dates, as they may change without notice. A warrant of arrest can be issued if you miss a criminal court date. If you do not have an attorney, you can get ongoing assistance at Texas Law Help. You can use the database's chat service to connect to a virtual agent.

Andrews County Courthouse Directory

109th District Court

Andrews

201 N. Main St., Room 201, Andrews, TX 79714

Phone: (432) 524-1419

District Clerk

Andrews

102 N. Main St., Andrews, TX 79714

Phone: (432) 524-1417

Constitutional County Court / County Judge

Andrews

201 N. Main St., Room 104, Andrews, TX 79714

Phone: (432) 524-1401

County Clerk's Office

Andrews

215 NW 1st St., Ste. 121-A, Andrews, TX 79714

Phone: (432) 524-1426

Justices of the Peace (Precincts 1 and 2)

Andrews

215 NW 1st St., Suites 3 and 4, Andrews, TX 79714

Phone: (432) 524-1412

Phone: (432) 524-1413

City of Andrews Municipal Court

Andrews

101 NW Ave A, Andrews, TX 79714

Phone: 432-524-1405

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Legal help is not limited to people who cannot afford a lawyer. Anyone dealing with unfamiliar processes or complex paperwork might need all the help they can get. The resources below offer this help.

Free Legal Assistance

These are some of the organizations that offer free legal assistance for low-income residents in Andrews County:

Local Legal Support

The Texas Court Help website is the Texas Judicial Branch's official self-help hub. The hub contains guides, videos, and free forms for divorce, custody, evictions, name changes, and protective orders.

Survivors of domestic abuse or sexual assault can use the following resources:

FAQs

How do I look up a court case in Andrews County?

Andrews County's official public records page can be accessed at the County Clerk's online portal. If you are unsure which Texas county holds the documents you need, CourtCaseFinder can be an alternative. The third-party tool helps narrow your search across multiple counties, giving you a good starting point.

If I have a dispute with an oil company or contractor over royalty payments or lease terms, which court handles it?

The first thing to consider before determining the court is the amount that you are claiming. In case the dispute involves more than $250,000, the 109th District Court is the best place. Claims that range between $500 and $250,000 are filed in County Court, and those under $20,000, you can be filed in a Justice of the Peace court as a small claims case.

What is the difference between the District Court and the County Court in Andrews County?

The 109th District Court handles felony cases, civil disputes of any dollar amount, and all divorce and custody matters. The Constitutional County Court handles Class A and B misdemeanors, civil disputes in the $500-$250,000 range, probate, and appeals from lower courts. If you are uncertain which of these courts applies to your case, the District Clerk or County Clerk can direct you to the right office.

Where do I file a small claims case in Andrews County?

Small claims cases up to $20,000 are filed in the Justice of the Peace court. No attorney is required. Visit the Justices of the Peace page for precinct contact information and the case information sheets needed to get you started.

How do I file for divorce or custody in Andrews County?

These matters are filed with the District Clerk at the 109th District Court. Free self-help kits for uncontested divorce and custody are available at Texas Court Help. If you qualify by income, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas can provide free assistance.

Other Counties in Texas

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