Denton County Court Records

What Is Denton County Court Records

Denton County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system. These records document legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family matters, and probate cases. Court records typically include filings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents related to court cases handled within Denton County's jurisdiction.

Are Court Records Public In Denton County

Yes, most court records in Denton County are public information under Texas law and the Freedom of Information Act. The public has the right to access and review these documents, with certain exceptions. Records that may be restricted include juvenile cases, sealed records, adoption proceedings, and cases involving sensitive personal information. Access to these records promotes transparency in the judicial system while balancing privacy concerns.

How To Find Court Records in Denton County in 2025

To find court records in Denton County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Visit the Denton County Clerk's Office in person at 1450 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76209
2. Use the online records portal through the Denton County website
3. Submit a written request to the District Clerk's Office at 1450 E. McKinney St., Suite 1200, Denton, TX 76209
4. Contact the specific court where the case was heard
5. Use third-party record search services (fees may apply)

For the most current information, you may need to provide case numbers, names of parties involved, and approximate dates of the proceedings.

How To Look Up Court Records in Denton County Online?

Looking up court records online in Denton County is straightforward:

1. Visit the Denton County Records Inquiry website at justice1.dentoncounty.gov/PublicAccess
2. Create an account if required (some basic searches may not require registration)
3. Select the type of records you want to search (criminal, civil, family, etc.)
4. Enter search criteria such as case number, party name, filing date, or attorney
5. Review the search results and select specific cases to view details
6. Download or print available documents (fees may apply for certain documents)

The Denton County District Clerk's Office also maintains an online portal at 1450 E. McKinney St., Suite 1200, Denton, TX 76209 for accessing court records electronically.

Can You Search Denton County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Denton County court records for free, though there may be fees for obtaining copies of documents. Free search options include:

1. Using the public access terminals at the Denton County Courthouse at 1450 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76209
2. Basic searches on the Denton County Records Inquiry website
3. Visiting the County or District Clerk's offices in person

While searching is typically free, obtaining certified copies or extensive documentation usually involves fees. Current fees for copies range from $1 per page for standard copies to $5 for certified copies, with potential additional fees for research assistance.

What's Included in a Denton County Court Record?

A typical Denton County court record includes:

1. Case information (case number, filing date, case type)
2. Party information (names of plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys)
3. Docket entries (chronological list of all filings and court actions)
4. Court documents (petitions, motions, responses, orders)
5. Judgments and final dispositions
6. Hearing and trial transcripts (if requested and prepared)
7. Evidence admitted during proceedings (in some cases)
8. Financial information (fines, fees, payments)

The specific contents vary depending on the case type and its progression through the court system.

How Long Does Denton County Keep Court Records?

Denton County retains court records according to Texas state retention schedules, which vary by case type:

• Criminal felony cases: Permanently
• Criminal misdemeanor cases: At least 5 years after final disposition
• Civil cases: At least 12 years after final disposition
• Family law cases: Permanently for divorce and child-related matters
• Probate cases: Permanently
• Juvenile cases: Until the individual reaches age 21 (with exceptions)

The Denton County Archives and History Center at 701 Kimberly Drive, Suite A101, Denton, TX 76208 maintains historical court records that have significant legal or historical value.

Types of Courts In Denton County

Denton County has a hierarchical court system that includes:

1. District Courts: Handle felony criminal cases, civil cases over $250,000, family law matters, and juvenile cases
2. County Courts at Law: Handle misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases between $20,000 and $250,000, probate matters, and some family law cases
3. Justice of the Peace Courts: Handle small claims (up to $20,000), minor misdemeanors, traffic violations, and perform magistrate duties
4. Municipal Courts: Handle city ordinance violations, Class C misdemeanors, and traffic cases within city limits

Each court maintains its own records, though many are accessible through the centralized county records system.

What Types of Cases Do Denton County Courts Hear?

Denton County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

1. Criminal Cases: From traffic violations to capital murder
2. Civil Litigation: Personal injury, contract disputes, property disputes
3. Family Law: Divorce, child custody, child support, adoption
4. Probate Matters: Wills, estates, guardianships
5. Juvenile Cases: Delinquency, dependency, status offenses
6. Mental Health Proceedings: Involuntary commitments, competency hearings
7. Tax Cases: Property tax disputes
8. Administrative Appeals: From local government decisions

The jurisdiction depends on the specific court level and the nature of the case.

How To Find a Court Docket In Denton County

To find a court docket in Denton County:

1. Visit the Denton County Records Inquiry website
2. Check the Magistrate Court Weekly Docket page on the county website
3. Contact the specific court clerk's office where the case is being heard
4. Visit the courthouse in person at 1450 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76209
5. Subscribe to docket alert services (if available)

Court dockets are typically updated daily and provide information about scheduled hearings, trials, and other court proceedings.

Which Courts in Denton County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Denton County, the following courts are not courts of record:

1. Justice of the Peace Courts: These courts do not maintain verbatim records of proceedings. Cases appealed from these courts receive a completely new trial (trial de novo) in a county court.

2. Some Municipal Courts: While some municipal courts in Denton County cities have become "courts of record," others remain non-record courts. These non-record municipal courts do not keep official transcripts of proceedings.

Appeals from these non-record courts are handled through trials de novo in the County Courts at Law, where the case is essentially tried again from the beginning rather than reviewed based on a record of the original proceedings.

Lookup Court Records in Denton County

• County Clerk - Denton County, TX - The County Clerk's page offers information on obtaining marriage and divorce records in Denton County.
• Magistrate Court Weekly Docket - This page provides access to the weekly docket for the magistrate court in Denton County, including information on hearings and court proceedings.
• Denton County Records Inquiry - This site allows users to search for various court records in Denton County, including criminal case records and court dockets.