Starr County Court Records Lookup

Starr County Courts, TX *

Starr County is on the southern edge of Texas and on the Rio Grande River bordering Mexico. The county seat is Rio Grande City, and all court matters in Starr County occur at the Starr County Courthouse, which also houses the district and county courts as well as the county clerk's office. The specific information regarding each Starr County court, such as accessing records, procedures for filing, and access to legal assistance, is detailed below and is specific to the county.

Each citizen should pay attention to the court type and the records sections. Lawyers and other legal professionals will want to know more about filing procedures and the section specifically for lawyers. Knowledge of the court systems in Starr County will save both time and expense for county citizens.

Overview of the Starr County Court System

Two District courts cover Starr County: the 229th and the 381st. They adjudicate felony, serious civil cases, and family law matters. Mid-range civil cases and all misdemeanor cases go before the County Court at Law and the Constitutional County Court. Eight Justice of the Peace precincts reach all areas of the county. City ordinance violations are brought before the Rio Grande City Municipal Court. All appeals go before the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio. Felony, civil, and family law cases are kept by the District Clerk; probate and misdemeanor cases are kept by the County Clerk. These offices are separate, independently elected offices within the same building.

Types of Courts in Starr County, Texas

Filing a lawsuit in the incorrect court could result in a waste of time, money, and procedural issues. All the courts in Starr County are assigned their respective duties, so knowing the nature of the lawsuit, the relief sought, and the amount in controversy before filing is crucial.

District Courts

There are two district courts in Starr County. The 381st Judicial District Court only handles cases originating in Starr County. The 229th Judicial District Court hears cases from Jim Hogg, Duval, and Starr Counties. There is one district clerk, and the Starr County Courthouse houses both offices.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Felony criminal cases
• Major civil litigation, including personal injury, property, and contract disputes
• Family law cases, including divorce, child custody, and child support
• Juvenile cases

As the 229th District Court covers three counties, the judge is not present on a full-time basis in Rio Grande City. Residents are asked to call the District Clerk's office and verify the judge's court schedule prior to visiting.

Primary Location: Starr County Courthouse

County Courts

Starr County has two county courts, the Constitutional County Court and the County Court at Law, both located at the Starr County Courthouse. The county courts handle the mid-level issues that sit between the Justice of the Peace courts and the district courts, and have overlapping jurisdiction in some issues.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Class A and B criminal misdemeanors
• Probate matters (wills, guardianships, estates)
• Civil cases within statutory dollar limits
• Appeals from Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts

The County Court at Law is found in Room 305 of the County Courthouse. The Constitutional County Court can also be reached from this office. The County Clerk's Office is where Probate filings are made for both courts.

Primary Location: Starr County Courthouse

Commissioners Court

The Starr Commissioners Court is the governing body of Starr County, made up of the County Judge and four elected commissioners. It is located at the Starr County Courthouse.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Budget and tax rate adoption
• County contracts and policy making
• Road and bridge maintenance oversight
• Precinct boundary setting for commissioners and Justice of the Peace courts

It is the only body authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the county.

Primary Location: Starr County Courthouse

Fourth Court of Appeals

The Fourth Court of Appeals, based in San Antonio, serves as the intermediate appellate court for Starr County.

Jurisdiction includes:

• Civil and criminal appeals from district and county courts
• 32 South Texas counties, including Starr County
• All appeals except death penalty cases and post-conviction writs of habeas corpus

Seven justices review cases from Starr County before any further appeal to the Texas Supreme Court or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Primary Location: Cadena-Reeves Justice Center, San Antonio, Texas

Justice of the Peace Court

Starr County has eight Justice of the Peace Precincts, providing the county with an adequate Justice of the Peace system for its geographically dispersed population. Jurisdiction includes:

• Small claims up to $20,000
• Eviction filings (forcible detainers)
• Class C criminal misdemeanors (fines only, no jail time)
• Traffic citations filed by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Starr County Sheriff's Office

Traffic citations filed by the Rio Grande City Police Department go to the Rio Grande City Municipal Court, not to any Justice of the Peace precinct.

Primary Locations: Eight precincts located throughout Starr County

Municipal Courts

Starr County has four municipal courts: the Rio Grande City Municipal Court, the Roma Municipal Court, the La Grulla Municipal Court, and the Escobares Municipal Court. Each handles violations of city ordinances, Class C misdemeanors, and traffic citations filed by their respective city police departments. Cases handled by the municipal courts include:

• City ordinance violations occurring within city limits
• Class C criminal misdemeanors occurring within city limits
• Traffic citations filed by city police departments

Citations issued by city police officers go to the applicable municipal court, not the Justice of the Peace precincts. In general, municipal court fines for citations can be paid online through the Rio Grande City Municipal Court payment page.

Primary Locations: Escobares City Hall, La Grulla City Hall, City of Rio Grande City Hall, Roma City Hall

How to Access Starr County Court Records

Most court records in Starr County are open to the public under Texas law. Exceptions include juvenile records and the records a judge has ordered closed. Open records can be accessed through the following methods:

Most court records in Starr County are open to the public under Texas law. Exceptions include juvenile records and the records a judge has ordered closed. Open records can be accessed through the following methods:

Online Access

The County Clerk' s office maintains public records at Starr Official Public Records Search, which contains deed and lien records, assumed name certificates, and many other recorded documents dating back to 1848, making it one of the largest record indexes in South Texas. District court records are indexed through re:SearchTX after a short free registration, with coverage beginning in November 2018. Older records must be requested directly from the District Clerk.

Alternative Online Options

r e:SearchTX only searches district court and county court records, but not JP court or municipal court records, and only covers from November 2018 on. When one needs to search many South Texas counties, or when the search criteria are unclear, CourtCaseFinder will retrieve public records from many sources, including ones that would not show up on a one-county search. Third-party search engines are also excellent for searching for cases with missing information or across multiple jurisdictions.

In-Person Requests

Both the District Clerk and County Clerk are located in the courthouse. Both of the clerks have extensive knowledge about court filings and court records, so they are excellent people to ask when residents are having trouble accessing records. Also, having the correct legal names of all parties, the case number, and the year the case was filed will speed up the search. Requests for copies of any document go to the clerk's office that holds that filing. Be aware that records requests may take some time to complete, depending on the length and complexity of the case.

Archived Records

Indexes for deeds from 1848 through 1984 can be found online at the County Clerk's office. This site can be helpful in tracing property and researching historical case searches. For any indexes for years earlier or later than those listed above, a filer would want to investigate the microfiche located at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin, a portion of which is available digitally for free from other genealogical archives. The District Court Clerk also has data and information about court cases that originated at the District Court level from the end of the Mexican-American War to the present day.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

All civil and family law filings for cases filed in district courts in Starr County are required to be filed electronically using eFile Texas. Legal practitioners can review the Starr County local rules and standing orders for both the 229th and 381st District Courts by visiting the Texas Judiciary Branch Website and selecting Starr County from the state list. Out-of-county practitioners should also be aware that the 229th District Court sits on rotation in Starr County, Jim Hogg County, and Duval County, and always call the District Clerk to ensure that the 229th District Court is in session in Starr County before each hearing or time-sensitive filing.

Lawyers and legal practitioners from outside Starr County should also understand that the county requires professional attire for court sessions. Business casual is acceptable when requesting records from the County Court or the District Court.

How to File a Case in Starr County

Preparation and detail are important when filing a case in Starr County. The following procedure is for civil filings in the County and District Courts of Starr County.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Citizens must file in the correct court. Cases in which there is expected to be a large trial, a court order, or any type of family action are filed in the office of the District Clerk. Misdemeanors, probates, and most small claims cases are filed in the office of the County Clerk. Claims of less than $20,000, or an eviction, are filed with the appropriate Justice of the Peace court precinct. Filers may want to call the appropriate clerk's office to confirm before making a trip. That way, people will not waste their time or energy searching for the appropriate court.

Step 2: Complete the Required Forms

Forms and instructions are available at the Texas Judicial Branch, which oversees the Texas court systems, and at Texas Law Help, a nonprofit entity organized by the Texas Legal Services Center. Filers should check the Texas Judiciary website for any local rules that apply in Starr County before printing anything from the state website. Processing of incomplete forms causes most delays. Of course, citizens who have questions about forms, procedures, or filing should contact either the County Clerk or the District Clerk.

Step 3: File the Case

In the district and county courts, civil cases can be filed electronically through the eFile Texas system. The state of Texas requires that an attorney practicing at the county and district court levels file electronically. However, for people who are representing themselves, they have the option to file electronically or in person. Because all small claims heard by justices of the peace courts in Texas don't require a lawyer, people can file online or in person as well. For district, county, and justice of the peace courts, citizens have to go to the District or County Clerk's office and file the case in person. The clerk's office stamps, files, and issues a case number, which is advisable to record.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Once the court cases have been filed, the next step is to pay filing fees. Filing fees are due upon acceptance of the filing by the clerk's office, or once the case has been filed online. District and County Clerks in Starr County take cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and personal or business checks. Online filers can pay using a credit or debit card. If a filer is unable to pay the filing fee, the filer may present an affidavit of indigency to have the case heard without paying the filing fee in advance.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

In Texas, litigants (the person suing or being sued) must serve the other party in the lawsuit. Texas law prohibits a party from personally delivering court documents to the opposing party. Service must be carried out by the Sheriff's Office, a licensed process server, or by certified mail. Once service is completed, the Sheriff's Office or process server must file proof of service with the clerk's office handling the case to establish that the other litigant has been served. No hearing or trial date will be set until proof of service is on file.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

For online filers, activity on both county and district court cases will generally show on re:SearchTX within a few days after a filing or event is added. In-person filers in county, district, or justice of the peace court cases will have to be directed to the appropriate clerk's office. If information appears incorrect or is missing from the record, call the appropriate clerk's office to have the issue corrected before moving on. People can also ask the district or county clerk questions at any stage in their filing journey.

Starr County Courthouse Directory

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Residents who need legal assistance should first stop at their County or District Clerk's office. Court clerks can provide information about procedures and filing. There are other types of free legal assistance that are available for Starr County residents through legal aid societies, nonprofit organizations, and self-help services that have been developed specifically for the South Texas border area.

Free Legal Assistance

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) serves 68 central and southwest Texas counties, including Starr County, and is the primary free civil legal service provider for the Rio Grande Valley. Services include family law, housing, immigration, public benefits, consumer rights, and domestic violence assistance. Those seeking assistance can apply through an online application or by calling the TRLA intake line.

Veterans and domestic violence survivors may also qualify for free legal assistance. TRLA's Veterans Advocacy Project assists low-income veterans with VA benefits, housing, and family law matters, while its Domestic Violence Team handles protective orders and related civil matters. Sexual assault victims and survivors can receive legal help through Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA) for both criminal and civil cases.

Local Legal Support

Texas Law Help provides free legal guides, forms, and live chat with attorneys covering matters handled in Justices of the Peace Courts, eviction response, protective orders, and uncontested family law cases, with no in-person appointment required. Those who need a private attorney but do not qualify for free legal aid can contact the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral and Information Service, which connects callers with a licensed attorney in the relevant practice area for a flat $20 fee covering a 30-minute consultation. People who need additional help for Justice of the Peace cases may want to look at the Texas Justice Court Training Center website.

FAQs

Other Counties in Texas

• Anderson
• Andrews
• Angelina
• Aransas
• Archer
• Armstrong
• Atascosa
• Austin
• Bailey
• Bandera
• Bastrop
• Baylor
• Bee
• Bell
• Bexar
• Blanco
• Borden
• Bosque
• Bowie
• Brazoria
• Brazos
• Brewster
• Briscoe
• Brooks
• Brown
• Burleson
• Burnet
• Caldwell
• Calhoun
• Callahan
• Cameron
• Camp
• Carson
• Cass
• Castro
• Chambers
• Cherokee
• Childress
• Clay
• Cochran
• Coke
• Coleman
• Collin
• Colorado
• Comal
• Comanche
• Concho
• Cooke
• Coryell
• Crockett
• Crosby
• Culberson
• Dallam
• Dallas
• Dawson
• De Witt
• Deaf Smith
• Delta
• Denton
• Dimmit
• Duval
• Eastland
• Ector
• Edwards
• El Paso
• Ellis
• Erath
• Falls
• Fannin
• Fayette
• Fisher
• Foard
• Fort Bend
• Franklin
• Freestone
• Frio
• Gaines
• Galveston
• Garza
• Gillespie
• Glasscock
• Goliad
• Gonzales
• Gray
• Grayson
• Gregg
• Grimes
• Guadalupe
• Hale
• Hamilton
• Hansford
• Hardin
• Harris
• Harrison
• Hartley
• Haskell
• Hays
• Henderson
• Hidalgo
• Hill
• Hockley
• Hood
• Hopkins
• Houston
• Howard
• Hunt
• Hutchinson
• Jack
• Jackson
• Jasper
• Jefferson
• Jim Wells
• Johnson
• Jones
• Karnes
• Kaufman
• Kendall
• Kenedy
• Kerr
• Kinney
• Kleberg
• Lamar
• Lamb
• Lampasas
• Lavaca
• Lee
• Leon
• Liberty
• Limestone
• Live Oak
• Llano
• Loving
• Lubbock
• Madison
• Marion
• Matagorda
• Maverick
• Mcculloch
• Mclennan
• Medina
• Midland
• Milam
• Mitchell
• Montague
• Montgomery
• Moore
• Morris
• Nacogdoches
• Navarro
• Newton
• Nolan
• Nueces
• Ochiltree
• Orange
• Palo Pinto
• Panola
• Parker
• Parmer
• Pecos
• Polk
• Potter
• Rains
• Randall
• Red River
• Reeves
• Robertson
• Rockwall
• Runnels
• Rusk
• Sabine
• San Augustine
• San Jacinto
• San Patricio
• Scurry
• Shelby
• Sherman
• Smith
• Somervell
• Stephens
• Tarrant
• Taylor
• Terrell
• Terry
• Titus
• Tom Green
• Travis
• Trinity
• Tyler
• Upshur
• Uvalde
• Val Verde
• Van Zandt
• Victoria
• Walker
• Waller
• Ward
• Washington
• Webb
• Wharton
• Wichita
• Wilbarger
• Willacy
• Williamson
• Wilson
• Wise
• Wood
• Yoakum
• Young
• Zapata
• Zavala