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Limestone County Court Records Lookup

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Limestone County Courts, TX *

Limestone County Courts, TX

Located in Central East Texas with approximately 22,000 residents, Limestone County's county seat is the city of Groesbeck. The county's court system handles everything from felony cases and divorces in Groesbeck to small claims, evictions, and traffic citations across Mexia, Coolidge, Kosse, and the surrounding area. Residents of Limestone County can expect that courts are fair and timely in addressing the various legal matters.

Overview of the Limestone County Court System

While a small system when compared to metropolitan areas, Limestone County's courts encompass the duties of Civil, Criminal, Family, and Probate law cases. The court takes place within one primary building that accommodates district courts, the constitutional county court, and county clerks' offices.

This system is fronted by the 77th and 87th Judicial District Courts. The Constitutional County Court is run by a County Judge, while the Justice of the Peace and municipal courts are located within the cities of Groesbeck, Mexia, and Kosse. The District Clerk covers felonies and family law, while the County Clerk covers misdemeanors, probate, and all other records daily.

Types of Courts in Limestone County, Texas

Types of Courts in Limestone County, Texas

District Courts

The 77th and 87th Judicial District Courts are the most powerful courts in the county. District courts are where most felony criminal and the most serious civil cases in Limestone County are handled.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Divorce, child custody, and adoption
  • Civil lawsuits with a value over $200,000
  • Family law cases, including child support and protective orders

Both District Courts are located at the Limestone County Courthouse. The 77th Judicial District is shared with Freestone County, so its judge will appear for part of the week in Groesbeck and part of the week in Fairfield. The 77th court serves as Limestone County's own district court and sometimes streams some court cases on its YouTube channel, which might be interesting to watch for related dockets.

Constitutional County Court

The Constitutional County Court handles mid-level criminal and civil issues that fall between the jurisdiction of a district court and the justice of the peace courts.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Probate, guardianship, and mental health commitment proceedings
  • Civil cases with a value of $200,000 or less
  • Commissioners Court records

If you need to probate a will, manage the administration of a deceased's estate, or become a guardian for a loved one, you will probably use this court. You can access Limestone County court dockets on their website.

Justice of the Peace Courts

For most of Limestone County's smallest civil claims and relatively minor criminal matters, Justice of the Peace (JP) courts will be the place your case goes. Each Justice of the Peace court presides over cases originating from the precinct that is part of its jurisdiction. There are four Justice of the Peace courts in the county, and you will need to file suit in the court of the precinct in which the dispute arose.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Small claims cases (under $20,000)
  • Unlawful detainer
  • Class C misdemeanors, such as traffic tickets
  • Small civil claims and debt collections

For example, an eviction suit regarding property in Mexia would be filed in Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. A small claims suit for issues occurring in Groesbeck would be filed in either Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 or Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. If you are uncertain of the Justice of the Peace precinct for your address, please contact the Limestone County Clerk.

Municipal Courts

The cities of Groesbeck, Mexia, and Kosse each have their own municipal court system where violations of city ordinances and minor crimes occurring within the city limits are prosecuted.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • City ordinance violations
  • Class C misdemeanors committed within city limits
  • Traffic citations issued by municipal officers

A speeding ticket issued by the Mexia Police Department would be handled by the Mexia Municipal Court, whereas a speeding ticket issued by the Limestone County Sheriff's Department would be handled by the Justice of the Peace court of the proper precinct. Which court is appropriate for your case depends on who issued you a citation and where it was issued.

How to Access Limestone County Court Records

How to Access Limestone County Court Records

Online Access

The best online resource available for district court cases is re:SearchTX. It is the state government database that shows filing information, parties, and the status of district court cases throughout Texas. There is no account required for access. Misdemeanors, probates, and other civil cases filed at the county level do not have an online database currently that is free to use. You will need to call the County Clerk to ask that a name or case be searched. County court dockets are published on the county's website. The county clerk also maintains an online database for official deeds and liens from 1861 to the present, and it is available on the county website under the County Clerk. It will cost $1.00 to print a record using the online service and requires payment by credit card.

Alternative Online Options

When the county's online databases don't cover what you need, or you're searching across multiple jurisdictions at once, you can check CourtCaseFinder. This is a useful third-party website that accesses public record data from various government sources; it is beneficial to use when you only have partial information, such as a party's name and no case number.

In-Person Requests

Both the district and county clerk offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. When requesting records in person at either office, you should have a case number or the names of all parties involved. A photo ID is also required. Clerk staff will perform searches for records on behalf of visitors and can usually retrieve documents while you wait.

Archived Records

When searching for documents that were filed very recently and have not yet been uploaded to the state database, it's best to call the relevant clerk's office directly. Staff will be able to determine whether the record exists and how best to proceed with obtaining a copy.

For historical court documents, it is possible that they have been microfilmed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. They also house an archival collection of documents filmed at Baylor University in Waco. This collection includes Limestone County deed records back to 1873, probate records dating back to 1876, and marriage records going back to 1873.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Attorneys must file electronically at eFile Texas for all district and county court cases, including civil, family, probate, and criminal cases in Limestone County. Pro Se filers are welcome to use the system, but it is not mandatory.

The 77th Judicial District has shared jurisdiction with Freestone County, so the scheduling of cases will be affected. The district judge rotates between Groesbeck and Fairfield, so court weeks are spread out here. Please verify the judge's schedule with the District Clerk before scheduling a hearing.

All divorce and SAPCRs filed in Limestone County, unless a party is the Attorney General or Child Protective Services, will be covered by the Standing Order regarding children, property, and conduct of the parties automatically upon filing. A copy of the standing order must be attached to the original petition and to all service copies.

How to File a Case in Limestone County

How to File a Case in Limestone County

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Determine the right court for your specific type of case before anything else. District courts are used for all felonies, divorce, child custody cases, and complex civil matters. County court cases are for Class A and B misdemeanors, probate, guardianships, and simple civil cases. Justice of the Peace courts handle evictions, small claims under $20,000, and Class C misdemeanors. Call the District Clerk or the County Clerk to make sure that you file your case in the proper court.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Forms can be acquired for all district and county cases at eFile Texas and from the Texas Courts website. Justice of the Peace courts for small claims, eviction, and debt claims will be assisted using the guided interview on eFile Texas, which will help you go through the forms step by step. The Texas Justice Court Training Center also provides the complete suite of civil JP court forms in Spanish and English.

Step 3: File Your Case

All district and county court filings are submitted through eFile Texas. Attorneys must e-file. Self-represented filers may submit in person at the clerk's office, and they should carry with them two copies of every document so the clerk can stamp and return one as proof of filing. The Justice of the Peace court cases can be filed through eFile Texas or submitted in person at the correct precinct office.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Filing fees vary from court to court. All fees are posted on the county website in the County Clerk's fee schedule. For example, JP small claims filings cost between $30-$75 depending on the JP office statewide. If you cannot afford the filing fee, a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs must be filed with your petition.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

After you submit your filings at the clerk's office, you will be issued a citation for the other party. This citation must then be properly served to move forward. For in-county service, the constable's office will serve the papers. You may also hire a private process server to do so, or send the citation via certified mail, depending on the case type. After the service is complete, file your proof of service with the clerk.

Step 6: Monitor Your Case

Case information can be accessed using re:SearchTX for district court filings. County court filings can be checked by contacting the County Clerk directly. If an item does not seem to be in order, or a hearing is not in the system, do not hesitate to call the clerk.

Limestone County Courthouse Directory

Limestone County Courthouse

The Limestone County Courthouse in Groesbeck serves as the central hub for legal activity in the county, housing both the 77th and 87th District Courts, the Constitutional County Clerk, and the County and District Clerks.

Groesbeck

Address: 200 W. State Street, Groesbeck, TX 76642

Cell Phone: (254) 729-5705

Website: Limestone County

77th District Court

This court handles all felony criminal, major civil, and family law actions, including divorce and custody actions for Limestone County. All pleadings for this court will be filed with the District Clerk at the courthouse.

Groesbeck

Address: 200 W. State Street, Groesbeck, TX 76642

Phone: (254) 729-3206

Website: 77th District Court

87th District Court

The 87th District Court holds concurrent jurisdiction over felony criminal, civil, and family law actions with the 77th District Court for Limestone County. Both courts share the same District Clerk.

Groesbeck

Address: 200 W. State Street, Groesbeck, TX 76642

Phone: (254) 729-3206

Website: 87th District Court

Groesbeck Municipal Court

Groesbeck Municipal Court is where all Class C misdemeanor citations and city ordinance violations issued within the city limits of Groesbeck are heard. If your ticket was issued by an officer with the Groesbeck Police Department, your case will be heard at the Groesbeck Municipal Court.

Groesbeck

Address: 901 West Yeagua Street, Groesbeck, TX 76642

Phone: (254) 729-5794

Website: Groesbeck Municipal Court

Mexia Municipal Court

The Mexia Municipal Court hears Class C misdemeanor citations and city ordinance violations issued within the city limits of Mexia. If your ticket was issued by an officer with the Mexia Police Department, your case will be heard at the Mexia Municipal Court.

Mexia

Address: 211 North Sherman Street, Mexia, TX 76667

Phone: (254) 562-4118

Website: Mexia Municipal Court

Kosse Municipal Court

The Kosse Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor citations and city ordinance violations issued within the city limits.

Kosse

Address: P.O. Box 116, Kosse, TX 76653

Phone: (254) 375-2212

Website: Kosse Municipal Court

Justice of the Peace Courts

Limestone County has four JP precincts handling small claims up to $20,000, eviction filings, and Class C misdemeanor citations issued by the Limestone County Sheriff's Office or the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Contact the precinct where the property or incident is located.

Precinct 1

Address: 310 S. Dallas Street, Groesbeck, TX 76642

Phone: (254) 729-2933

Website: Link

Precinct 2

Address: P.O. Box 194, Coolidge, TX 76635

Phone: (254) 786-4938

Website: Link

Precinct 3

Address: 200 W. State Street, Suite 201, Groesbeck, TX 76642

Phone: (254) 729-3630

Website: Link

Precinct 4

Address: 205 S. McKinney Street, Mexia, TX 76667

Phone: (254) 562-7113

Website: Link

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Free Legal Assistance

Lone Star Legal Aid has a free civil legal assistance program that helps income-eligible residents of Limestone County. Lone Star's office in Waco provides representation in areas of law including: landlord-tenant law, family law, consumer law, public benefits, foreclosures, domestic violence, and more. There are income guidelines that serve households at or below 125% of the poverty guidelines. You can apply online, by phone, or in person.

Local Legal Support

People who represent themselves in the legal system can access free guides and forms and clear explanations of divorces, protective orders, name changes, and small claims on TexasLawHelp. The Texas State Law Library provides guides on many different topics accessible to any Texan, whether or not they are attorneys. Both of these websites are useful if you are looking for which form to file or the definition of a legal term, and haven't talked to the clerk.

The State Bar of Texas has a lawyer referral service you can use to locate a lawyer near you. Attorneys who are listed in a referral service usually only require a minimal charge for the first meeting which is worthwhile if you are unsure if you need a lawyer in the first place.

FAQs

How do I search for court records in Limestone County online?

District court civil and criminal records are available through the re:SearchTX free state-wide portal created by the Texas Judicial Branch. These records can be searched by case name or case number. No account is required. County court (misdemeanors and probate) records can be searched by calling the County Clerk.

Are court records in Limestone County open to the public?

Most are. Texas law allows any person to inspect and copy court records, regardless of their involvement in the case. Exceptions are generally made for juvenile court records, documents sealed by court order, and certain mental health records. Call the appropriate clerk's office before making a trip if you're not sure what is available in a specific case.

Can I watch a court hearing at the Limestone County courthouse without being involved in the case?

Most court proceedings are open to the public. Some hearings are even streamed on the 77th Judicial District Court's YouTube channel, a feature that's rare for a court of this size. You can check the channel before you go to Groesbeck to see if your desired case is being streamed live, or you can attend in person. Contact the JP and municipal courts directly if you want to attend proceedings there.

Where do I file an eviction case in Limestone County?

Eviction cases are filed in the justice of the peace court for the precinct in which the property is located. If your rental property is located in the Mexia area, you'll need to file with JP Precinct 4. A property located near Groesbeck is likely in either Precinct 1 or Precinct 3. If you aren't sure, you can call the County Clerk's office, and they'll tell you which precinct is applicable.

The 77th Judicial District covers two counties. How does that affect hearings in Limestone County?

The district judge rotates between Groesbeck and Fairfield, which means there isn't a fixed schedule for court appearances in Limestone County. You'll need to contact the District Clerk's office to confirm when a hearing is scheduled and if it's taking place in Limestone County.

When does using a third-party records site make more sense than the official portals?

A site such as CourtCaseFinder may be more useful if you need to look up records in several counties simultaneously or if you only have limited information to search with, and are using the search for a background check on someone in multiple locations.

What if I can't afford the filing fee for a small claims or eviction case?

You can file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs with the appropriate court instead of paying the filing fee upfront. The court will decide whether to accept it or not.

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