Bowie County Courts

Bowie County, Texas, is home to about 92,000 residents, which accounts for about 0.30% of the state's population of approximately 31 million. The county seat, Boston, serves as the administrative and judicial hub of the area. Each year, Bowie County courts receive an estimated 7,000 case filings.

These include approximately 1,797 criminal matters, 727 family-related cases, and about 716 small claims disputes. Bowie County's trial courts are organized to handle a wide range of legal matters, with each court exercising specific jurisdiction.

• Bowie County District Courts oversee felony criminal cases, large civil matters, family law, and juvenile cases.
• Bowie County Court at Law handles misdemeanors, probate matters, and civil cases with lower monetary claims.
• Bowie County Constitutional Court handles Class A and B misdemeanors, probate and guardianship matters, civil cases with lower monetary values, and appeals from Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts.
• Bowie County Justice of the Peace Court deals with small claims, traffic violations, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Bowie County has eight Municipal Court divisions, each located in different cities and towns across the county to serve their respective local communities. These courts have limited jurisdiction and primarily handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and violations of city ordinances.

Trial courts in Bowie County are located in different parts of the county, but most are concentrated in New Boston, the county seat.

How To Access Bowie County Court Records

Court records in Bowie County, TX, are considered public under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), allowing individuals to access records of most court proceedings. However, certain court records are restricted from public view due to their sensitive nature. These may include juvenile records, mental health and substance abuse case files, and family law records involving child custody or protective orders.

Furthermore, access to civil filings containing trade secrets, library records, military discharge records, financial institution information, and student data is often restricted by law. Such restrictions are in place to protect individual privacy, public safety, or proprietary interests. A person's valid ID and case numbers are often required to look up court records in the county. Interested individuals may access Bowie County court records through multiple sources, including the following:

Online

Bowie County court records may be accessed online through the Bowie County Case Records Search portal maintained by the District Clerk's Office. Individuals may look up civil, criminal, probate, and family case dockets by name, case number, or filing date. Also, interested persons may also check CourtCaseFinder, which is designed to provide access to court records in the county and every other county in the United States.

For federal cases heard in Bowie County, interested individuals may find records through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system. Users need to create an account and are required to pay certain fees to view most documents. PACER is a great resource that helps individuals to look up federal civil, criminal, and bankruptcy case details.

In-Person

To access Bowie County court records in person, individuals may visit the courthouses where the cases were handled. Each court has a clerk who keeps the court's records. It is recommended to reach out to the clerks' offices beforehand, as some courts may ask requestors to complete request forms or submit written applications before allowing access to the records.

Some courthouses in the county offer public access terminals, where individuals may search court records on their own. These terminals make it easier for individuals to look up case details without needing to wait in line or fill out any paperwork. Additionally, requesting printed copies of Bowie County court records typically requires a $1 fee per page. For certified copies, there is an added $5 certification fee per document.

Old and Archived Court Records

For court records in Bowie County that are more than 50 years old and not available online or at local courthouses, individuals may search through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.The State Archives holds historic records like pre-1900 dockets, probate and estate records, court minute books, and even territorial court documents. Requesters may reach out or visit in person to obtain such records at:

How To File a Case in Bowie County

Before filing a case in Bowie County, TX, individuals must first determine which court has the authority to hear their cases. Since each court handles different case types, it is important to contact the clerk's office of the intended court to confirm that it has jurisdiction over the matter. Afterward, requesters can choose how they would like to submit their case.

In Bowie County, a case may be filed electronically using eFileTexas, which is mandatory for most attorneys and encouraged for other users. Cases may also be filed in person at the courthouse clerk's office in New Boston, or in some instances, by mail, as long as the paperwork is properly notarized and includes all required fees.

Filing a court case in the county usually involves certain costs. Interested persons may check the Bowie County Court Costs Schedule for the actual cost, depending on the court and case type. These fees generally help cover court costs, including case processing and clerical support. For individuals who cannot afford the filing cost, the courts may offer a fee waiver. Such requesters may complete a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs and submit it to the clerk of the court handling the case. After review, the judge will determine whether to approve the request.

Filing a case in Bowie County, TX usually involves the steps outlined below:

• Determine the case type, whether it is civil, family, probate, or criminal, to know which court to approach and which forms to use.
• Prepare the initial paperwork, which typically means drafting a complaint (for civil cases), a petition (for family or probate matters), or submitting the proper charging document if the case is criminal. In criminal matters, the District Attorney's Office generally files charges on behalf of the public. A complaint or petition should clearly explain what happened, who is involved, and what outcome you are seeking. Complaints should be filed with any necessary supporting documents attached, including affidavits, contracts, photos, or other exhibits.
• Use court-approved forms when preparing documents. These are often available from the Bowie County clerk's office, the court's official website, or the Texas Judiciary website. In some cases, the complaint may also be required to complete a case information sheet, which helps the court categorize your case correctly.
• File the case with the appropriate court, either in person, by mail, or electronically.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Individuals who cannot afford an attorney in Bowie County may turn to the courthouse, local legal aid societies, and pro bono panels from the local bar association for help with their cases. They may also make use of free self‑help and online legal resources to guide them through the process. The following outlines key organizations that provide free or low-cost legal assistance and self-help support to litigants in Bowie County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Loner Star Legal Aid
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service
• Free Legal Representation for Low‑Income Individuals
• Texas Legal Services Center
• Free Legal Services for Low‑Income Landlords & Small Claims Advice
• Lone Star Legal Aid
• Pro Bono Legal Help & Clinics
• Lone Star Legal Aid Pro Bono Program

There are also several other helpful legal aid services and self-help resources available to individuals living in Bowie County, including:

• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - Occasionally hosts free legal clinics or workshops to get advice and referrals.
• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas- They handle a wide range of civil legal matters and serve low-income residents across all counties in Texas

Types of Courts in Bowie County, Texas

Residents of Bowie County are served by several courts, including county courts, municipal courts, and federal courts. Below is a list of each court's jurisdiction and how to contact them:

Bowie County Court at Law

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles mid-level civil and criminal matters (misdemeanors, civil suits up to $250,000, probate, family law), and appeals from Justice of the Peace/Municipal Courts.
• Address and Contact Information

Bowie County District Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts handle felony criminal cases, large civil disputes, family law matters (such as divorce and child custody), and juvenile cases. They share similar jurisdictions and are located in the same courthouse.
• Address and Contact Information

Bowie County Justice of the Peace Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - They handle small claims, evictions, traffic violations, fine-only misdemeanors, and some pretrial criminal matters like warrants and bail.
• Address and Contact Information

Bowie County Constitutional Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - They handle a specific mix of cases. Its main role includes overseeing probate matters, such as wills, estates, and guardianships, and acting as an appeals court for Justice of the Peace and Municipal Court decisions.
• Address and Contact Information

Bowie County Municipal Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - They hear cases that happen within city limits, like traffic violations, city code offenses, and Class C misdemeanors. These courts also handle matters like warrants, arraignments, and parking tickets.

Here is a quick look at where you can find the Municipal Courts serving communities across Bowie County:

Texarkana Municipal Court

Nash Municipal Court

DeKalb Municipal Court

Nash Municipal Court

Redwater Municipal Court

Wake Village Municipal Court

Hooks Municipal Court

Maud Municipal Court

Federal Courts in Bowie County

Here are the federal courts that serve residents of Bowie County, TX:

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Texarkana Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This federal court serves Bowie County residents in cases that fall under federal law, such as civil rights violations, federal crimes, multi-state disputes, immigration matters, and cases involving federal agencies.
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of Texas

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This federal bankruptcy court handles all bankruptcy filings for residents and businesses in Bowie County who are seeking relief from overwhelming debt.
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bowie County Courts

Below are helpful answers to some questions people often ask about the courts in Bowie County, Texas: