Denton County Courts

With a population of approximately 1 million, Denton County accounts for about 3.2% of Texas's total population of 31 million. The county seat is Denton.

The Texas Judiciary Annual Statistical Reports show that Denton County's major trial courts manage about 60,000 cases annually. This includes about 18,000 filings in District Courts, over 17,000 cases in County Courts at Law, and more than 30,000 handled by the Justice of the Peace Courts.

Denton County trial courts hear different types of cases based on each court's jurisdiction.

• District Courts handle all felony cases, divorces, and civil disputes involving more than $200,000.
• County Courts at Law resolve juvenile delinquency and civil claims under $200,000.
• County Criminal Courts hear misdemeanor criminal cases.
• Probate Courts manage cases related to name changes, wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships.
• Justice of the Peace Courts handle minor criminal offenses and small claims of up to $20,000
• Municipal Courts oversee civil ordinance violations.

The major trial courts in the county are located in Denton, while the Municipal and Justice of the Peace Courts are spread across the county.

How To Access Denton County Court Records

The Texas Public Information Act promotes trust and transparency in the justice system by ensuring public access to court records, including those maintained by the courts in Denton County. To obtain court documents, interested persons may submit formal requests by mail or in person at the official court clerk's office. Some court records are also accessible online free of charge.

However, not all court records are available to the public. The following records may be restricted to protect privacy, ensure fair proceedings, or comply with state and federal laws.

• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Mental health and medical reports contained in court records
• Records of active investigations
• Witness statements
• Sealed or expunged records

Only record owners and their legal representatives may access these records. Individuals interested in confidential court records may need to obtain court orders or provide proof of legal authorization to gain access.

The following methods may be used to obtain public court records:

Online

To view court records online, requesters may use the Denton County Judicial Records Search Portal. To begin, select a local court and enter the party names, case numbers, or other identifiers where necessary. The system will return a list of matching cases, including basic case details such as status, dates, and involved parties. The re:SearchTX portal also offers access to court records statewide, although users must subscribe to use the service.

Denton County, TX court records may be accessed online through CourtCaseFinder. This resource generally compiles public court records across the United States and makes them easily accessible to the public.

Furthermore, requesters may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service to find Denton County federal court records. Only registered users may search for court records on PACER. While registration is free, viewing or downloading public documents typically incurs certain fees listed under the PACER Fee Schedule.

In-Person

Individuals may visit local courthouses in Denton County during official hours to request court records in person. When visiting, bring government-issued IDs, relevant case details, and payment for any applicable search or copy fees. Court clerks typically charge $5 for a record search, $1 per page for standard copies, and $5 per document for certified copies, according to this legal site.

Denton County court clerks may provide public access terminals where visitors may search for court case information on-site. These computers are typically located at the clerk's office and available during standard business hours. Requesters may contact the District Clerk or the County Clerk's office in advance to schedule appointments or confirm available records and requirements.

Old and Archived Court Records

Court records created before 1900 are typically maintained by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). These may include early civil and criminal case files, probate records, land disputes, and court dockets. Requesters may view these records online through the TSLAC Digital Archive. Alternatively, submit written requests by mail or in person to:

How To File a Case in Denton County

Filing a case in Denton County begins with identifying the appropriate court that has jurisdiction over the matter. Litigants may contact the District Clerk or the County Clerk's office for guidance on which court to file in, what documents are required, and the applicable filing fees. Cases in Denton County may be filed in one of three ways: electronically, by mail, or in person.

To file a case in person, a litigant may visit the clerk's office at the courthouse with authority to hear the case. The clerk may request valid identification and other supporting documents necessary to complete the filing process. For mail filings, download the required forms from the court clerk's website, complete them, and mail them with the appropriate payment and documentation to the clerk's office.

Litigants may file online through eFileTexas.gov, the statewide electronic filing system for Texas courts. They must create an account with an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) listed on the platform. Afterwards, upload documents, enter case details, and submit payment. Before filing by any method, litigants may contact the appropriate clerk's office to verify court-specific procedures and requirements.

Filing fees in Denton County vary depending on the case type and the court involved. Detailed fee schedules are usually available on the websites of the District Clerk and County Clerk. Those who cannot afford the court costs may request a fee waiver by including the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs form. Once approved, they may proceed without paying the required fees.

Litigants should follow the steps below to file a case in Denton County:

• Determine the case type and local court
• Use only court-approved forms, which may be accessible online.
• Provide evidence and other documents to support the case.
• Pay the court's filing fee or request a fee waiver.
• Read self-help resources or consult professional attorneys to avoid errors.

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.

Litigants who are unable to afford legal representation may seek assistance through pro bono or low-cost legal programs. Most legal aid groups provide free self-help resources, free consultations, or referrals to attorneys offering reduced fees.

Legal aids and programs available in Denton County include the following:

• Denton Bar Lawyer Directory
• Denton County Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (DCAP)

Legal aids and resources in Texas include the following:

• Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid - Provides free legal assistance to low-income residents in Denton County and other parts of Texas
• Texas Legal Services Center - Eviction Helpline
• Texas Tenants' Union
• Texas State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

Other legal aid services and self-help resources available to Denton County residents include the following:

• Denton County Law Library - Open to the public, the library provides access to legal research materials, court forms, and self-help guides.
• Denton County Friends of the Family - Free representation for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Justice for Our Neighbors - Offers immigration legal services to low-income individuals and families.
• Legal Hospice of Texas - Provides free legal services to low-income individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses or HIV.
• Disability Rights Texas - Protects the rights of Texans with disabilities through legal advocacy and education.
• Texas Law Help - A free online resource for self-represented litigants in civil matters.

Types of Courts in Denton County, Texas

Denton County's judicial system is made up of district, county, juvenile, probate, municipal, and federal courts. These courts handle criminal cases and civil disputes involving local residents, private businesses, and governmental entities. The following list identifies each Denton County court, the types of cases they handle, and their contact information.

Denton County District Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts preside over felony cases, land disputes, family law matters such as divorce and child custody, and civil claims exceeding $250,000.
• Address and Contact Information -

16th District Court

158th District Court

211th District Court

362nd District Court

367th District Court

393rd District Court

431st District Court

442nd District Court

462nd District Court

467th District Court

477th District Court

481st District Court

Denton County Courts at Law

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts handle all juvenile cases and civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy is between $200 and $250,000.
• Address and Contact Information -

County Court at Law 1 (Juvenile Matters)

County Court at Law 2

Denton County Criminal Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Adjudicates all Class A and B misdemeanor offenses.
• Address and Contact Information -

County Criminal Court 1

County Criminal Court 2

County Criminal Court 3

County Criminal Court 4

County Criminal Court 5

Denton County Probate Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The probate court resolves wills, guardianships, estates, mental health commitments, and other probate-related cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Denton County Justice of the Peace Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts decide small claims cases, traffic offenses, minor criminal cases, and civil claims involving amounts up to $20,000.
• Address and Contact Information -

Precinct 1

Precinct 2

Precinct 3

Precinct 4

Precinct 5

Precinct 6

Denton County Municipal Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - They hear civil ordinance violations, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and minor theft under $100. The Municipal Court locations in Denton County are listed below:

Argyle Municipal Court

Aubrey Municipal Court

Bartonville Municipal Court

Copper Canyon Municipal Court

Corinth Municipal Court

Denton Municipal Court

Double Oak Municipal Court

Flower Mound Municipal Court

Hackberry Municipal Court

Hickory Creek Municipal Court

Highland Village Municipal Court

Justin Municipal Court

Krugerville Municipal Court

Krum Municipal Court

Lake Dallas Municipal Court

Lakewood Village Municipal Court

Lewisville Municipal Court

Little Elm Municipal Court

Northlake Municipal Court

Oak Point Municipal Court

Pilot Point Municipal Court

Ponder Municipal Court

Providence Village Municipal Court

Roanoke Municipal Court

Sanger Municipal Court

Shady Shores Municipal Court

The Colony Municipal Court

Trophy Club Municipal Court

Federal Courts in Denton County

The following are the federal courts in the county:

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

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles cases arising under U.S. law, including federal criminal offenses, civil rights claims, immigration matters, multi-state civil disputes, and intellectual property cases.
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court for Texas Eastern District (Sherman Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It has exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy matters filed under federal law.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Denton County Courts

The following provides answers to some of the FAQs about Denton County, TX courts: