Court records in El Paso County, Texas, are maintained by the district clerk and county clerk and can be accessed through online portals, official court websites, and in-person visits to the clerk's office. ElPasoCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for El Paso County. Additional access points include the El Paso County Odyssey Public Access portal, the City of El Paso Municipal Courts, and various state and federal court resources serving the region.
El Paso Court System Overview
El Paso County is part of the 34th, 41st, 65th, 120th, 171st, 210th, 243rd, 327th, 346th, 383rd, 384th, 388th, 409th, and 448th Judicial Districts in Texas. The county is served by multiple district courts, county courts at law, and a probate court, reflecting the large population of the El Paso metropolitan area. District courts handle felony criminal matters and civil cases, while county courts at law manage misdemeanor criminal cases, lesser civil disputes, and appeals from justice and municipal courts. The Eighth Court of Appeals, located in El Paso, hears appeals from trial courts across a multi-county region in West Texas. The El Paso County Courthouse is located at 500 East San Antonio Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79901. General courthouse hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Courts Serving El Paso
El Paso County District Courts
Multiple numbered district courts sit at this location, handling felony criminal cases, civil litigation, family law, and juvenile matters.
El Paso County Courts at Law
County courts at law hear Class A and Class B misdemeanors, civil cases within their jurisdictional limits, probate matters, and appeals from justice and municipal courts.
El Paso County Probate Court
El Paso Municipal Court
The El Paso Municipal Court is a court of record that handles Class C misdemeanors and civil parking citations issued within city limits. Court records can be searched through the Municipal Court Public Access Portal.
U.S. District Court — Western District of Texas, El Paso Division
The Western District of Texas handles federal civil and criminal cases. Federal case records are available through PACER.
Justice of the Peace Courts
El Paso County has multiple Justice of the Peace precincts handling small claims, evictions, and minor criminal matters. Contact information varies by precinct; check with the county for the precinct serving your area.
What Types of Cases El Paso Courts Hear
Courts in El Paso County handle a broad range of case types across multiple levels of jurisdiction:
- Criminal: Felonies, Class A and B misdemeanors (county courts at law), Class C misdemeanors (municipal and justice courts), DWI cases
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection
- Family Law: Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, trusts, mental health commitments
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective services cases
- Traffic: Traffic violations, CDL-related offenses
- Appeals: Appeals from municipal and justice courts to county courts at law; appeals from county and district courts to the Eighth Court of Appeals
District Court Cases in El Paso
El Paso County's district courts have original jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds the county court at law's jurisdictional limit, divorce and family law cases, and juvenile proceedings. Civil cases involving amounts above $200,000 (or those outside county court at law jurisdiction) are typically filed at the district level. Felony cases are presented through grand jury indictment before proceeding to trial in district court. Cases are randomly assigned to one of the numbered district courts. District judges preside over jury and bench trials, hear post-conviction motions, and manage complex civil litigation. Appeals from district court decisions go to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso.
Magistrate Court Cases in El Paso
In Texas, the magistrate function is handled differently than in some states. In El Paso County, magistrate duties — such as issuing arrest and search warrants, setting bail, and conducting probable cause hearings — are performed by judges across multiple court levels, including district judges, county court at law judges, and justices of the peace. County courts at law hear Class A and B misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases generally up to $200,000, and appeals from justice and municipal courts. Justice of the Peace courts handle small claims up to $20,000, eviction suits, and Class C misdemeanors. The El Paso Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors and parking violations within city limits. DWI arraignments and preliminary matters often begin in county courts at law.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in El Paso
Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, civil protective orders, paternity, and termination of parental rights cases are filed in the district courts. El Paso County's district courts include courts with dedicated family law dockets. The Texas Office of the Attorney General provides child support enforcement services for El Paso County residents.
Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust disputes, and mental health commitments are handled by the El Paso County Probate Court. Filings are made through the county clerk's office at the El Paso County Courthouse.
Juvenile: Juvenile cases, including delinquency proceedings and Child Protective Services matters, are heard in designated juvenile district courts. Juvenile records are confidential under Texas Family Code and are not available through public access portals. The El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department manages juvenile court services.
How Cases Move Through the El Paso Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or the filing of a complaint. Civil cases start with a petition filed with the district or county clerk. Family law matters are initiated by petition.
- Assignment: Cases are randomly assigned to a specific court and judge through the clerk's office.
- Initial Hearing: In criminal cases, the defendant appears for arraignment where charges are read and a plea is entered. Civil cases proceed to a scheduling conference or initial status hearing.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Both sides engage in discovery, file motions, and may participate in mediation or plea negotiations. Pre-trial hearings address evidentiary and procedural issues.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases may resolve through plea agreement, settlement, default judgment, or proceed to a bench or jury trial resulting in a verdict.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from El Paso County courts go to the Eighth Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in El Paso
El Paso County's district courts are administered under the direction of the local administrative district judge, with day-to-day operations supported by a trial court administrator. The Texas Judicial Branch website provides access to statewide court rules, and local rules for El Paso County district courts are available through the district clerk's office or the local administrative judge's office.
Public access to court records in Texas is governed by Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration and the Texas Public Information Act. Most court records are generally open to the public, with exceptions for:
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Certain family law and mental health records
- Grand jury proceedings
Online case searches for El Paso County courts are available through the Odyssey Public Access portal. In-person record requests can be made at the district clerk's or county clerk's office at the courthouse. Certified copies typically require a fee.
Attending hearings: Most hearings are open to the public and held in person at the El Paso County Courthouse. Some courts may offer remote hearing options — contact the specific court division to confirm availability.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in El Paso
- County Case Records Search: The El Paso County Public Access Case Search allows online searches of criminal, civil, family, and probate case records.
- Municipal Court Records: Search citations, warrants, and court calendars through the El Paso Municipal Court Public Access Portal. Information on payment methods and violation fees is also available.
- Federal Court Records: Search federal case filings through PACER for cases in the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division.
- Criminal History Checks: The Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search provides statewide criminal record information for a fee.
- Marriage and Divorce Records: The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains statewide marriage and divorce verification records. For certified copies, contact the El Paso County Clerk's office.
- Police Reports and Arrest Records: The El Paso Police Department handles open records requests for police reports and arrest information.
- City Clerk Public Records: The City of El Paso City Clerk provides guidance on obtaining certain city-level records and connecting to county services.
- Property Tax Records: The City of El Paso Tax Office collects property taxes on behalf of taxing entities within El Paso County.
- Texas Sex Offender Registry: The Texas DPS maintains the statewide sex offender registry, searchable at dps.texas.gov.
- ICE Detainee Locator: The ICE Online Detainee Locator System can help locate individuals in federal immigration custody at El Paso-area facilities.
- Open Data: The City of El Paso Open Data Portal provides public datasets including geographic and community information.
For additional guidance on accessing court records or navigating the El Paso County court system, visit ElPasoCourt.us or contact the El Paso County District Clerk's office directly at the courthouse.