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San Augustine County Court Records Lookup

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San Augustine County Courts, TX *

San Augustine County Courts, TX

San Augustine County is located in Eastern Texas on the border with Louisiana. As one of the oldest counties in the state of Texas, it holds a unique standing in the state's legal system. With the county having the background that it does, along with the smaller yet dedicated populace, citizens and locals within San Augustine County can rely on the San Augustine County courts to take on any legal matter that may arise. The courts located within San Augustine County handle major cases of all types of criminal and civil law, family law, probate law, and housing disputes.

Overview of the San Augustine County Court System

The courts within San Augustine County are under the authority of the Judicial Branch of Texas and consist of different courts with differing powers and duties. However, the courts most relevant to the San Augustine court system are the Constitutional County Court and the District Court. Both courts try numerous cases under Texas law, including criminal, family, and probate law cases.

The two main courts are housed at the County Courthouse in San Augustine. Here, residents can file paperwork, have hearings, and review court documents. The records can all be reviewed at the courthouse because they are held by the District Clerk, where one should bring any paperwork as well. The San Augustine County court system consists of more than the previously stated two courts, including the Justice of the Peace courts, which are considered a lower-level court for dealing with minor cases. For more detailed information and beneficial resources regarding the county courts, citizens can use the San Augustine County's official website.

Types of Courts in San Augustine County, Texas

Types of Courts in San Augustine County, Texas

Knowing which type of court to use within San Augustine County is important so one will be more efficient at court and not have to face unexpected issues with their case. The following sections discuss which courts preside over cases in San Augustine County.

District Courts

San Augustine County is served by two district courts. The 1st and the 273rd. The 1st District Court tries many major court cases within San Augustine County, often involving felonies, large property matters, divorces, child support issues, and other significant family law matters, as well as the review of cases decided by lower courts. The 273rd District Court serves San Augustine County alongside Shelby and Sabine counties, hearing serious criminal and civil matters across the region.

Primary location: San Augustine County Courthouse

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Major civil law cases
  • Divorce, child support, and family law matters
  • Title-to-land disputes
  • Contested elections
  • Appeals from lower courts

In a position that handles such critical issues, early engagement of an attorney is of the utmost importance. Because the 273rd covers three different counties, setting hearing dates and available dockets may be more challenging, and citizens will need to call the District Clerk's office before their hearing to verify.

County Court

The Constitutional County Court handles criminal cases like Class A and Class B misdemeanors. It also handles civil cases that do not fit the jurisdiction of the District Court. In addition to the civil cases, the county court also handles all probate cases and performs most county administration tasks.

Primary location: San Augustine County Courthouse

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Class A and Class B misdemeanors
  • Some civil cases
  • Probate matters
  • Administrative county business

This is the main legal and administrative body in the county. In addition to dealing with everyday matters of law, the system also acts as the administrative agency for several functions performed in the county as a result of the County Judge heading up the system.

CPS Cluster Court

The CPS Cluster Court for San Augustine County is part of the 1st/258th Judicial District and hears Child Protective Services cases only. This court handles nothing but complicated family matters and works hand-in-hand with the District Clerk in the filing of all cases.

Primary location: San Augustine County Courthouse

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Child abuse and neglect cases
  • Child Protective Services (CPS) proceedings
  • Termination of parental rights cases
  • Child custody matters related to state intervention

The court has been created to efficiently deal with all the complexities involving child welfare cases and to ensure that appropriate care is given to them according to the laws governing parents' rights in Texas.

Attorney General Court

Attorney General Court in San Augustine County works in conjunction with the 1st District Court and hears child support cases with regard to child support establishment and enforcement. These cases are processed by the District Clerk's office and heard in the county's district court.

Primary location: San Augustine County Courthouse

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Establishment of paternity
  • Child support orders
  • Enforcement of child support
  • Modification of existing support orders
  • Medical support obligations

The function of this court is to make sure that children are supported as mandated by Texas law. This court allows support cases to be handled effectively through the Attorney General's Office and the district court.

Justice of the Peace Courts

San Augustine County has four Justice of the Peace (JP) precincts, and in each there is an elected judge. The JP courts try misdemeanor criminal cases of Class C, along with civil cases that are on a smaller scale.

Primary location: El Camino Justice Center

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Class C misdemeanors
  • Small civil cases
  • Traffic violations and truancy
  • Landlords and tenants
  • Inquests
  • Marrying individuals and issuing warrants

The JP courts hold the highest judicial powers out of all the officials at the local level of government. They try to adjudicate all relevant court matters, and then, if required, an official report will be put together and presented to a higher-level judge to make final decisions.

Municipal Court

The San Augustine Municipal Court tries any cases relating to local city laws within the city of San Augustine.

Primary location: San Augustine City Hall

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Traffic and moving violations
  • Class C misdemeanor cases
  • City code and ordinance cases
  • Municipal warrants

This court is a court of local jurisdiction and handles the processing of citations, compliance cases, and the disposition of warrant-related issues. This court's appeals are handled in the County Court.

How to Access San Augustine County Court Records

How to Access San Augustine County Court Records

The majority of San Augustine County court records are considered public records and are therefore available to the public. Certain court records are either sealed or otherwise restricted. Juvenile court records are an example of court records that have restricted access due to their confidential nature.

Online Access

Because the county does not have its own court records portal, the quickest way to begin searching for court records from Texas is through re:SearchTX. This platform provides online search access for any court by jurisdiction. It searches countless databases from every level of court based upon the records that are readily available in the database, from that jurisdiction. When one begins searching for a case, it is beneficial to know all parties involved's names, the case number, or a file date; anything that may expedite searching.

Alternative Online Options

To save residents the trouble of traveling to court clerks to obtain records in person, or if they do not know all of the details of the records they seek, there are commercial databases, such as CourtCaseFinder. It enables residents to access court records from many locations at the same time, rather than visiting a series of courthouses and searching each one's website individually. It allows users to perform a search by case number, name, and more, and the results will typically show a case number, a filing date, names of parties involved, and case status, for both criminal and civil cases, and possibly traffic, family, or probate cases. It is important to know that only those records made publicly available to search online will be displayed.

In-Person Requests

Certified court records from San Augustine County can be obtained from the County Clerk's office with a formal, written request. To obtain physical case files and archive materials, a visit to either the County Clerk's Office or the District Clerk's Office is typically needed. To expedite finding the requested documents, make sure to know the case number(s) and/or names.

Archived Records

For easy accessibility by any citizen or court official, older San Augustine County court records are either maintained physically or on electronic databases. Archived records that are old enough and have not been converted to electronic records can generally be maintained by the County clerk or District clerk. Information regarding archived procedures online may be found on the County clerk's office webpage for San Augustine County or on Archived Records on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) webpage. In order to retrieve any of these varying court records using the correct combination of the systems above, in-person requests, and archives research is advised.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

For local attorneys and court personnel familiar with San Augustine County, court processes are second nature. Attorneys outside of the county, however, will need some time to learn the nuances of filing systems, accessing court records, and navigating specific court proceedings. Each court level within San Augustine County has distinct processes that may affect the speed with which case documents and information are available.

For counsel outside of the county, establishing jurisdiction and the correct court should be done before filing a case or requesting specific records. Knowledge of where and how to file information with the county and district clerks' offices, as well as their records archiving and certification procedures, will save time. There are also instances where case records can be found via authorized electronic filing services.

How to File a Case in San Augustine County

How to File a Case in San Augustine County

The following are the steps to properly file a case in San Augustine County:

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

First, the appropriate court must be determined. Serious felony and civil cases must be filed in the District Court. A misdemeanor and all probate cases should be filed in the County Court. Small claims and eviction cases should be filed in a Justice of the Peace court, and a case involving a city ordinance or traffic citation will need to be filed in Municipal Court.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Citizens can locate all forms required to file a case in San Augustine County at Texas Law Help and at the forms section of the County Clerk's forms website. Texas Law Help contains forms and helpful instructions pertaining to many types of cases.

Step 3: File the Case

Residents must submit the documents to the clerk of the court in which the hearing is to be conducted, or via the Texas eFile System. It is required for attorneys to file electronically in Texas. Self-represented filers can e-file or hand-deliver to the clerk of the court that will hear the case.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Court fees are determined by the court, the specific type of action, and what one is filing; the fees for filing, certified copies, and for service differ. If a citizen cannot afford the court fees, they must sign an Affidavit of Indigency to see if they can be exempted from pre-paying court costs.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Service of process means officially informing someone that there is a lawsuit pending against them. Typically, an order may be served by the Sheriff's Office, the Constable of San Augustine County, or by a certified process server. A proof of the service then needs to be filed with the court.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

The plaintiff also has the duty to ensure that their case is moving appropriately. Case status, filed documents, and upcoming court hearings can be monitored online through the Texas Court Records Search system or in person at the office of the District or County Clerk. Staying in touch with the clerk from time to time ensures changes are known, no information is missed, and the case does not fall behind.

San Augustine County Courthouse Directory

San Augustine County Courthouse

Houses the 1st and 273rd Judicial District Courts, the Attorney General Court, the CPS Cluster Court, and the Commissioners Court. Hears felony criminal matters, substantial civil actions, family law matters, and certain appellate matters. It is the county's primary trial court, and the District Clerk maintains the official records.

Jasper

Address: 121 North Austin RM 205, Jasper, TX 75951

1st District Court: (409) 384-3792

273rd District Court: (936) 275-9634

CPS Cluster Court: (936) 275-2231

Attorney General Court: (936) 275-0971

County Commissioners Court: (936) 288-0128

San Augustine Municipal Court

Deals with city ordinance violations, traffic tickets, and any Class C misdemeanors that have occurred within city limits. This court handles payment of fines and citations, as well as the issuance of warrants.

San Augustine

Address: City Hall, 301 South Harrison Street, San Augustine, TX 75972

Phone: 936-275-2121

Email: info@cosatx.com

Website: Municipal Court

El Camino Justice Center

Houses the four Justice of the Peace precincts, all located under one roof. They handle small claims court, evictions, and Class C misdemeanors.

San Augustine

Address: 221 N Harrison, San Augustine, TX 75972

Phone: (936) 275-3552

Website: Justice of the Peace

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

There are various local, state, and non-profit services in San Augustine County and throughout the state of Texas to aid people in the judicial process. These services assist with court procedures, paperwork, and general information for individuals representing themselves in court and individuals seeking information and support for themselves or others throughout legal proceedings.

Free Legal Assistance

There are free legal services available to San Augustine County residents, such as Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which assists low-and moderate-income Texas residents in civil matters, may offer assistance with understanding their rights under Texas law, advice, and representation. The local county clerks offer free assistance by providing legal forms, filing instructions, and explanations of procedures. County clerks cannot give legal advice, but may assist with filling out the forms correctly.

Local Legal Support

People living in San Augustine County looking for local legal aid can call Lone Star Legal Aid, an organization that helps people in East Texas. Low-income eligible people can receive legal aid for issues like housing, family law, domestic violence, and public benefits. Citizens can apply on the website at any time or call (800) 733-8394. Other legal aid sites are Texas Legal Services Center and TexasLawHelp for live chat and forms, and the Deep East Texas Area Agency on Aging at (800) 442-8845 to help elderly people with their legal and aging concerns.

FAQs

How do I pay for traffic tickets/fines in San Augustine County?

The traffic tickets/citations can be paid at the Justice of the Peace office (Precincts 1, 2, or 3) or the Municipal Court office. Payments on traffic tickets/fines can be paid with money order, check, online, or in person at the court office where the payment is due. An online payment may be made at the county payment portal.

How do I file a civil lawsuit or an eviction lawsuit?

A petition needs to be filed for either type of suit. Small claims or eviction suits can be filed at the Justice of the Peace office. The petition must provide a brief reason for suing and be accompanied by payment of a filing fee unless the court agrees the filer is unable to pay a filing fee.

Where can I find public court records?

Public court records can be obtained by contacting the District Clerk or County Clerk, depending on whether or not the case was tried in district or county court. The Texas Judicial Branch website can also assist in directing residents to the Texas Department of Public Safety in case they need to view criminal history records.

How do I contact the District Clerk for a payment or motion regarding my child support?

The District Clerk of the 1st and 273rd District Courts may be reached by telephone or mail to answer questions and provide information relating to child support issues, the filing of motions, court proceedings, case file information, payment history, scheduled hearing dates, and other related assistance. If the assistance of the court can help in some of these situations, contact the office.

What is the process for evicting a tenant in San Augustine County?

A suit for eviction (forcible entry and detainer) is filed in the Justice of the Peace court. A written "Notice to Vacate" must first be served by the landlord, and the notice time frame must expire before the petition is filed in court.

The 2 results found are court addresses.

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