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Tyler County Court Records Lookup

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Tyler County Courts, TX *

Tyler County Courts, TX

The Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville is where all the law occurs in Tyler County. District Courts, County Courts, Justice of the Peace precincts, and Municipal Courts all take on individual tasks, and by knowing which office to go to, one will find the process quicker by avoiding the wrong office.

Those cases involving evictions, probate, or family law will find that the court's types and records portion will be most helpful. Legal professionals should navigate straight to the filing processes and "For Attorneys" section.

Overview of the Tyler County Court System

The Tyler County court system is not complex. There is one District Court, the 88th Judicial District Court, which hears all high civil and criminal cases on original jurisdiction, and there are no shared dockets or rotations. The County Constitutional Court, presided over by an elected County Judge, hears all Class A and B misdemeanors as well as all probates. There is no County Court at Law, so the County Judge holds both judicial and administrative authority over the County Court cases. There are four Justice of the Peace precincts covering communities throughout the county, and the Woodville Municipal Court hears city ordinance violations within the city limits.

Two elected officials keep distinct court records for Tyler County. The District Clerk manages all felony criminal, civil, and family law case files. The County Clerk manages all misdemeanor criminal cases, all probate matters, and all public official records, such as deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. These are two separate entities, and if one arrives at one instead of the other, they will be referred. Appeals from Tyler County cases are decided by the 9th Court of Appeals in Beaumont.

Types of Courts in Tyler County, Texas

Types of Courts in Tyler County, Texas

District Court

The 88th Judicial District Court is the only district court in Tyler County, and the dockets are full of all major criminal and civil cases. This court is permanently located in Woodville. All records are kept by the District Clerk in the Tyler County Courthouse in Room 203.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Major civil lawsuits, including property, contract, and personal injury disputes
  • Divorce, child custody, child support, and all family law cases
  • Juvenile cases (records are sealed)

All business is handled through one docket and one District Clerk's office. If a resident is unsure whether this is the correct venue for their case, contact the District Clerk before traveling to the courthouse.

Primary Location: Tyler County Courthouse

Constitutional County Court

The County Judge is elected and is the presiding officer of the Constitutional County Court. The County Judge is the judge of all misdemeanor criminal cases, but is also the presiding officer of the Commissioners Court, which is the administrative body of Tyler County. The County Judge is also responsible for all of the court's work, as there is no County Court at Law.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Probate matters, including estates, wills, and guardianships
  • Civil cases within the court's constitutional limits
  • Appeals of cases decided in the JP or Municipal courts

Written policy guidelines regarding continuances and deadlines for plea bargain agreements are maintained in the County Court and must be followed by counsel and those proceeding without a legal representative.

Primary Location: Tyler County Courthouse

Justice of the Peace Courts

Tyler County consists of four Justice of the Peace precincts. JP courts are open from Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 6:00. JP courts are closed on Fridays. Anyone who plans on filing for small claims, evictions, or payment of fines will need to be prepared to take into account the four-day work week.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Small claims up to $20,000
  • Evictions (forcible detainer suits)
  • Class C misdemeanors (fine only; no jail time)
  • Traffic citations issued by the Tyler County Sheriff's Office or the Texas Department of Public Safety

Traffic tickets issued by the Woodville Police Department are processed at the Woodville Municipal Court, not the Justice of the Peace courts. The four JP courts are located in the Dogwood Street building, and each one has a different room and phone number.

Primary Location: Tyler County Office Building

Municipal Court

The Woodville Municipal Court deals with all Woodville city ordinance violations and all Class C misdemeanors occurring inside Woodville city limits. Citations written by the Woodville Police Department are sent to Woodville Municipal Court, not to any Justice of the Peace precinct.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Woodville city ordinances
  • Class C misdemeanors occurring within Woodville city limits
  • Traffic citations issued by the Woodville Police Department

Municipal court records are not indexed on re:SearchTX. A request for a copy of a municipal court record, such as a fine payment, or citation disposition, must be made to the Woodville Municipal Court.

Primary Location: Woodville City Hall

Court of Appeals

The 9th Court of Appeals in Beaumont is an appellate court for cases in Tyler County. They review lower court documents to see if the law was applied correctly by the judge; they do not retry cases or take evidence.

Jurisdiction includes:

  • Appeals from the 88th Judicial District Court
  • Appeals from the Constitutional County Court
  • Civil and criminal appellate matters from all ten counties in the court's jurisdiction

Deadlines for appeals are strict. Anyone thinking of appealing a decision rendered in a District or County court should contact counsel immediately upon the entry of judgment.

Primary Location: Jefferson County Courthouse

How to Access Tyler County Court Records

How to Access Tyler County Court Records

Almost all court records in Texas are public. Exceptions to this rule involve juveniles and any records that the court has declared sealed by order. All other records may be searched both online and in person.

Online Access

District court records for causes of action filed after November 2018 are available at re:SearchTX upon quick, free registration. Pre-November 2018 court records, or copies of documents, must be requested directly from the District Clerk. Tyler County official public records are maintained by the County Clerk and are accessible via the Tyler County Clerk's website.

Alternative Online Options

r e:SearchTX does not include Justice of the Peace records, municipal court records, or any District Court filings before November 2018. If a researcher is trying to obtain older dockets or cases from more than one county in East Texas, CourtCaseFinder may be able to compile a record of various jurisdictions where one would otherwise not find one.

In-Person Requests

The District Clerk can be found weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, in Room 203, Tyler County Courthouse. The County Clerk can be reached weekdays between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm at a separate office building on Charlton Street. All Justice of the Peace offices are closed on Fridays, so individuals with scheduled meetings and filings will need to adjust accordingly. For individuals wanting to conduct business at any of the clerk's office locations, it will be beneficial to have full legal names for all parties, the case number, and an approximate filing date.

Archived Records

The County Clerk retains records dating back to Tyler County's founding, including bound volumes of older court documents accessible only in person. The oldest historical records have been microfilmed and are available at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

The 88th District Court requires all civil and criminal filings to be filed electronically with eFile Texas.The County Court has its own local rules for continuance and plea bargain deadlines that may be found on the County Court page. Filers should become familiar with the rules prior to filing or docketing any case. The local rules and standing orders of both the District and County Courts can be accessed through the Texas Judiciary Branch on the Local Rules page. All appeals out of Tyler County go to the 9th Court of Appeals in Beaumont.

How to File a Case in Tyler County

How to File a Case in Tyler County

When all the documents are filled out and filed in the correct place from the start, the case stays on the right path. Below are instructions for all civil filings in the District or County courts. For Justice of the Peace small claims or eviction cases, residents will need to call the particular precinct; Justice of the Peace courts are closed on Fridays.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

All felony criminal matters, all large civil claims, and all family law matters go to the District Clerk. Misdemeanor criminal matters and probate matters go to the County Clerk. Any claim of $20,000 or less, and evictions, are heard in the Justice of the Peace court in the correct precinct. One phone call to the appropriate clerk's office before going to the courthouse can ensure one is in the right place.

Step 2: Complete the Required Forms

Statewide forms and templates may be found on the Texas Judicial Branch website, as well as on Texas Law Help. Reviewing the County Court's published local policies before printing is recommended, as local rules may add forms to the statewide packet.

Step 3: File the Case

All District Court filings are required to be filed electronically via eFile Texas. County Court filings can be presented in person to the County Clerk at South Charlton Street. Pro se filings at the District Court may be presented in person to the District Clerk's office. The Clerk's office will assign a case number upon acceptance of the filings, and that number should be recorded from that time forward.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Filing fees are due at the time the case is filed. People who file cases in person can pay the clerk of court at the time they file. Those who cannot afford the fee may file an Affidavit of Indigency with the clerks office where the paperwork is filed.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

A party cannot serve another party with the paperwork personally in Texas. All paperwork must be served by the Tyler County Sheriff's office, a licensed process server, or by certified mail if acceptable. Proof of service shall be returned to and filed with the Clerk's office that filed the lawsuit. No date for the hearing will be scheduled until the proof of service is on file.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

The District Court changes usually reflect on re:SearchTX within a few business days. The County Court cases will have to be handled directly with the County Clerk's office on South Charlton Street, to make sure no deadlines are missed.

Tyler County Courthouse Directory

Tyler County Courthouse

Houses several of the court offices in the county, including the District Court, the Commissioners Court, and the Constitutional County Court, at 100 West Bluff Street, Woodville, TX 75979.

88th Judicial District Court

Phone: (409) 283-5334

Website: 88th Judicial District Court

Constitutional County Court

Phone: (409) 283-2141

Website: Constitutional County Court

Commissioners Court

Phone: (409) 283-2281

Website: Commissioners Court

Woodville City Hall

Houses the Woodville Municipal Court, as well as city offices.

Woodville

Address: 400 West Bluff Street, Woodville, TX 75979

Phone: (409) 283-3255

Website: Woodville Municipal Court

Jefferson County Courthouse

The Jefferson County Courthouse houses the courts for that county, as well as the 9th Court of Appeals.

Beaumont

Address: 1085 Pearl Street, Suite 330, Beaumont, TX 77701

Phone: (409) 835-8402

Website: 9th Court of Appeals

Tyler County Office Building

The office building is the home of many county offices, and also houses all four Justices of the Peace.

Woodville

Address: 203 West Dogwood Street, Woodville, TX 75979

Phone: (409) 283-3631 (Precinct 1)

Phone: (409) 283-6320, ext. 236 (Precinct 2)

Phone: (409) 283-6320, ext. 235 (Precinct 3)

Phone: (409) 429-9500 (Precinct 4)

Website: https://www.txcourts.gov/9thcoa/ | Justice of the Peace

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Free legal services and self-help resources are accessible for Tyler County residents without the need for a visit in person.

Free Legal Assistance

Lone Star Legal Aid provides free legal assistance through its Southeast Texas operation to income-eligible individuals in Tyler County. Services cover family law, landlord-tenant issues, public benefits, veterans' matters, and domestic violence. Lone Star Legal Aid intake hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Services are generally available to those at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Texas State Law Library: Offers free reference services for legal research that can point people in the right direction, but cannot give legal advice.

Local Legal Support

Texas Law Help provides no-cost self-help forms, legal information, and live attorney chat service regarding Justice of the Peace court forms and answers, protection orders, no-contest divorce filings, and unlawful detainer responses without any need for a face-to-face meeting. Applicants who are looking for private attorneys and are not eligible for free legal services may call the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral and Information Service, which will provide a referral to a licensed lawyer who practices in the desired area and is offering 30-minute initial consultations for $20.

FAQs

How do I search for a court case in Tyler County?

District Court records from November 2018 forward are available for free at re:SearchTX. Older District Court records or certified copies must be requested in person or by mail from the District Clerk. County and probate court records are held at the County Clerk's office on South Charlton Street.

Are court records in Tyler County publicly available?

Usually, yes. Juvenile files are sealed, and some court documents ordered confidential by the court are unavailable. District Court files from November 2018 forward can be searched on re:SearchTX. For other official public records, such as deeds, liens, and assumed names, please contact the Tyler County Clerk's or District Clerk's Office.

Are the JP courts closed on Fridays?

Yes. Justice of the Peace courts are open Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays. Anyone needing to pay a citation, file a small claims suit, or handle an eviction filing should account for that schedule. All four precincts operate from the same location on Dogwood Street.

Where do I file an eviction lawsuit in Tyler County?

Eviction cases can only be filed with the precinct of the Justice of the Peace in which the property lies. All Justice of the Peace precincts in Tyler County are located in one office. The particular JP Court can be contacted by phone to verify that it represents the designated property; JP Court cases do not move to the County or District Clerk's office.

Is there a County Court at Law in Tyler County?

No. Tyler County has only one county court, the Constitutional County Court, presided over by the County Judge. It has jurisdiction over all misdemeanor criminal cases, all probate and guardianship matters, and civil cases where the amount in controversy is between $500 and $10,000, plus exclusive jurisdiction over suits in which the county is a party. Civil cases over $10,000 and all felony criminal cases go to the 88th District Court.

The County Clerk isn't in the main courthouse?

The County Clerk's office is in a building on South Charlton Street, not on the courthouse grounds, which are on West Bluff. Anyone filing a document with the County Clerk or requesting certified copies from the County Clerk must go to the Charlton Street office.

Can I search records without a case number?

Yes. re:SearchTX enables name-based searching of district court cases across Texas. For broader searches, CourtCaseFinder pulls from multiple Texas public records sources and works well when the filing county is uncertain. Having the full legal name of the party involved will return the most accurate results.

How do I get a court-appointed attorney in Tyler County?

The first time a defendant appears before the court, they may tell the judge that they cannot afford a lawyer and ask to have one appointed to them. The judge will consider their circumstances and make the decision. If they have a question about obtaining appointed counsel before their first court appearance, a defendant may go to the District Clerk for felony cases or the County Clerk for misdemeanor cases for information on the appointment process.

Other Counties in Texas

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