Bexar County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

County: Bexar County, TX

Bexar County, Texas is highly populated with over 2,000,000 residents being served by its equally large network of courts that cater to their legal needs. These needs include civil cases, criminal cases, family matters, or probate issues. The court system in Bexar County consists of District Courts, Criminal District Courts, Constitutional County Courts, County Courts at Law, Statutory Probate Courts, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. These courts are well-equipped to handle specific legal matters that arise before them.

The District Courts located in San Antonio, have general oversight over all criminal and civil cases within Bexar County but typically focus on cases above the jurisdiction of other courts. The Criminal District Court handles criminal cases and shares jurisdiction with the County Courts at Law. The Constitutional County Courts preside over civil and probate cases where the amount in controversy is between $200 to $10,000. The County Courts at Law focus on misdemeanors especially those that do not have incarceration as a penalty, civil cases with claims of between $500 and $100000, and some probate matters. Statutory Probate Courts have original jurisdiction over matters of guardianship, estate administration, and will. The Justice Courts also called the “Justice of the Peace Courts” have jurisdiction over certain criminal and civil cases such as misdemeanors and small claims. The Municipal Courts located in Alamo, San Antonio, and several other locations, have exclusive jurisdiction to address violations of city ordinances and can also handle certain civil and criminal cases.

There are over 430,000 crime cases per year within Bexar County. The court system is thus busy with a caseload of about 450,000 annually, ranging from criminal to civil cases, with divorce and probate matters. Bexar County's public court records are easily accessible on the web page of the Bexar County Clerk. These records are regularly updated and reliable. However, closed court records are only accessible by obtaining a special court order or permission.

In summary, the judicial system in Bexar County is decidedly large to serve its large population of residents effectively. Its network of courts are designed to handle a wide range of legal matters. The District Courts, Courts at Law, Justice Courts, Statutory Probate Courts, Constitutional County Courts, and Municipal Courts address the various cases brought before them. The County Clerk also regularly updates public court records and makes them readily accessible on the electronic portal. The vast number of courts ensures efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice to the residents of Bexar County.