About Texas Courts

Complaints

1. Where do I file a complaint against a judge?

   The State Commission on Judicial Conduct investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and disability.

2. Where do I file a complaint against a lawyer?

   Contact the State Bar of Texas for information concerning problems with attorneys.

   Complaints regarding the unauthorized practice of law are handled by the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee.

Divorce & Child Support Cases

1. Which courts handle divorce cases?

   Family law matters, which include divorces, are generally heard in district courts, though some are heard in county courts at law. In most counties, a divorce case is filed through the District Clerk's office. Please see Trial Court Judges and Personnel by County (PDF) in the Trial Courts section of our Judicial Directory page.

2. Which courts handle child support matters?

   Although child support matters are handled by various district courts, county courts at law, and child support specialty courts in Texas, the Office of the Attorney General is the official child support enforcement agency for Texas. The OAG provides services in establishing and enforcing child support. In most counties, a divorce case is filed through the District Clerk's office. Please see Trial Court Judges and Personnel by County (PDF) in the Trial Courts section of our Judicial Directory page.

Records

1. Where can I get copies of court records?

   OCA does not have or maintain records on individual cases.

   • For appellate, justice and municipal courts, contact the court directly.
   • For district and county court cases, contact the district clerk or county clerk in the county in which the case was filed.

   Consult the Judicial Directory for contact information.

2. Can I search for trial court records or look up a specific person to see if they have a criminal record from this site?

   The Texas Judicial Branch web site does not have a single portal for case searches.

   You will need to contact the district clerk, county clerk, justice court, or municipal court for case information. Refer to our Judicial Directory for court and clerk contact information.

   For another source of criminal history information, consult the Crime Records Service maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

3. Where can I get a copy of an elected judge's oath of office?

   The Secretary of State's Elections Division maintains the oaths of office for district judges, justices of the courts of appeals, judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals, and justices of the Supreme Court. Call (800) 252-VOTE.

   Oaths of office for other elected judges are maintained at the local level. Callers should contact the county clerk for oaths of office for county officials or the city secretary/clerk for municipal oaths of office for city officials.

4. Who can I talk to about political contributions and expenditures, personal financial disclosures, or judicial campaign financing?

   Contact the Texas Ethics Commission.

Research

1. Where can I get statistics on ..... cases?

   Information collected by the Office of Court Administration is reflected in the Annual Statistical Reports. OCA cannot provide data in any more detail than what is reflected in those documents, as it does not receive any case-level data or other data elements not shown in the reports.

   Appellate Courts

   Requests for more detailed data should be directed to the clerk of the court.

   Trial Courts

   For explanations about the types of cases that each case category contains, refer to the Explanation of Case Categories document posted for each court level in the Annual Statistical Reports or refer to the reporting instructions for additional detail.

   District Courts

   Requests for more detailed data should be directed to the District Clerk.

   County Courts

   Requests for more detailed data should be directed to the County Clerk or District Clerk.

   Justice Courts or Municipal Courts

   Requests for more detailed data should be directed to the court.

2. How can I get statistics for a court or individual courts?

   It depends on the type of court.

   The Office of Court Administration collects statistics for individual courts from the

   • Supreme Court
   • Court of Criminal Appeals
   • Courts of Appeals
   • Constitutional County Court ("the County Court"),
   • Justice Courts and
   • Municipal Courts.

   Statistics for district courts are available by county only, as are statistics for county courts at law and other statutory county courts.

   Statistics are published annually for all court levels in the Annual Statistical Reports.

   Reports may also be run from our Trial Court Activity Database for district, county, justice, and municipal court activity.

3. Where do I find contact information for courts, judges or clerks?

   Please consult the Judicial Directory. Information is not maintained for justice or municipal court clerks.