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Brazos County Court Records

What Is Brazos County Court Records

Brazos 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 issues. The District Clerk's office is primarily responsible for maintaining these records.

The Brazos County District Clerk's office manages court records for district courts and some county courts. District Clerk's Office, 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1200, Bryan, TX 77803

Court records typically include case filings, judgments, orders, and other documents submitted during legal proceedings. These records serve as the official history of court cases and are essential for legal research, background checks, and maintaining transparency in the judicial system.

Are Court Records Public In Brazos County

Yes, most court records in Brazos County are public information under Texas law and the U.S. Constitution. The public has the right to access these records, with some exceptions for confidential or sealed cases.

Exceptions to public access include:

  • Juvenile records
  • Mental health proceedings
  • Adoption cases
  • Some family law matters involving children
  • Cases sealed by court order
  • Records containing sensitive personal information

The Brazos County Clerk's Office provides access to public court records. County Clerk's Office, 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1300, Bryan, TX 77803

How To Find Court Records in Brazos County in 2025

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

  1. Visit the District Clerk's office in person at the Brazos County Courthouse. Brazos County Courthouse, 300 E. 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803

  2. Use the online portal system provided by Brazos County for digital access to many court records.

  3. Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk's office, specifying the records you need.

  4. Contact the specific court where the case was heard.

When searching for court records, you'll need:

  • The case number (if known)
  • Names of parties involved
  • Approximate date of the case
  • Type of case (criminal, civil, etc.)

How To Look Up Court Records in Brazos County Online?

Brazos County offers online access to court records through several platforms:

  1. The Justice Web portal provides access to many court records and judicial hearings. This system allows users to search by case number, party name, or date range. https://portal-txbrazos.tylertech.cloud/BrazosPortal/

  2. The Brazos County official website has a Court Dockets section where you can view scheduled hearings and court sessions. http://brazoscountytx.gov/90/Court-Dockets

  3. For daily court schedules, check the Today's Docket page on the county website. http://tx-brazoscounty.civicplus.com/355/Todays-Docket

Note that some older records may not be available online and might require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.

Can You Search Brazos County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search some Brazos County court records for free, but there are limitations:

  • Basic case information and docket searches are typically available at no cost through the county's online portal.
  • Viewing records in person at the courthouse is free.
  • The county's public access terminals at the courthouse provide free access to digital records.

However, fees may apply for:

  • Copies of documents (typically $1-$2 per page)
  • Certified copies (additional certification fee)
  • Complete case files
  • Records that require extensive research or retrieval

The Brazos County District Clerk's office can provide current fee information. District Clerk's Office, 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1200, Bryan, TX 77803

What's Included in a Brazos County Court Record?

A typical Brazos County court record includes:

  • Case information sheet with basic details about the parties and case type
  • Pleadings and motions filed by attorneys or parties
  • Court orders and judgments
  • Hearing and trial transcripts (if requested and prepared)
  • Evidence admitted during proceedings
  • Financial information including fees paid and judgments awarded
  • Settlement agreements
  • Jury information (for jury trials)
  • Appeals documentation (if applicable)

The level of detail varies by case type and complexity. Criminal cases typically include charging documents, while civil cases contain complaints and responses.

How Long Does Brazos County Keep Court Records?

Brazos County follows Texas state retention schedules for court records:

  • Felony cases: Permanently maintained
  • Misdemeanor cases: Generally kept for at least 5 years after final disposition
  • Civil cases: Typically maintained for 12 years after final disposition
  • Family law cases: Varies by case type, with many kept permanently
  • Probate records: Permanently maintained

The District Clerk's office maintains permanent records. District Clerk's Office, 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1200, Bryan, TX 77803

Many older records have been digitized, but some historical records may be stored in archives. The county has been working to digitize more records each year to improve accessibility.

Types of Courts In Brazos County

Brazos County has several types of courts with different jurisdictions:

  1. District Courts (85th and 361st Judicial Districts) - Handle felony criminal cases, civil cases over $250,000, and family law matters. 300 E. 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803

  2. County Courts at Law (1 and 2) - Handle misdemeanors, civil cases under $250,000, probate matters, and some family cases. 300 E. 26th Street, Bryan, TX 77803

  3. Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1-4) - Handle small claims, traffic tickets, evictions, and class C misdemeanors.

    • Precinct 1: 2223 S. Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77802
    • Precinct 2: 2500 S. Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840
    • Precinct 3: 1680 N. Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan, TX 77803
    • Precinct 4: 205 S. Main Street, Bryan, TX 77803
  4. Municipal Courts - Handle city ordinance violations and class C misdemeanors within city limits.

    • Bryan Municipal Court: 303 E. 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77803
    • College Station Municipal Court: 300 Krenek Tap Road, College Station, TX 77840

What Types of Cases Do Brazos County Courts Hear?

Brazos County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

District Courts:

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Civil lawsuits over $250,000
  • Divorce and family law matters
  • Child custody and support cases
  • Property disputes
  • Complex litigation

County Courts at Law:

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Civil cases between $20,000 and $250,000
  • Probate and guardianship matters
  • Mental health commitments
  • Appeals from justice courts

Justice of the Peace Courts:

  • Small claims (up to $20,000)
  • Evictions
  • Traffic violations
  • Class C misdemeanors
  • Debt claims
  • Inquests and death investigations

Municipal Courts:

  • City ordinance violations
  • Traffic tickets within city limits
  • Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits
  • City code enforcement

How To Find a Court Docket In Brazos County

To find a court docket in Brazos County:

  1. Visit the Brazos County website's Court Dockets section. http://brazoscountytx.gov/90/Court-Dockets

  2. Check Today's Docket for current hearings. http://tx-brazoscounty.civicplus.com/355/Todays-Docket

  3. Use the Justice Web portal to search for specific cases and their scheduled hearings. https://portal-txbrazos.tylertech.cloud/BrazosPortal/

  4. Contact the specific court clerk's office for docket information:

    • District Courts: 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1200, Bryan, TX 77803
    • County Courts at Law: 300 E. 26th Street, Suite 1300, Bryan, TX 77803
    • Justice Courts: Contact the specific precinct office
  5. Visit the courthouse in person to view posted dockets outside courtrooms.

Court dockets are typically updated daily and show scheduled hearings, the presiding judge, and case information.

Which Courts in Brazos County Are Not Courts of Record?

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

  1. Justice of the Peace Courts (all precincts) - These courts do not maintain official transcripts of proceedings. Cases appealed from these courts receive a completely new trial (trial de novo) in the County Courts at Law.

  2. Small Claims Courts - These are divisions of Justice of the Peace Courts and similarly do not maintain official transcripts.

Courts that ARE courts of record in Brazos County include:

  • District Courts
  • County Courts at Law
  • Municipal Courts of Record (if designated)

When a case is appealed from a court that is not a court of record, the higher court conducts a brand new trial rather than reviewing the proceedings of the lower court.

Lookup Court Records in Brazos County

For comprehensive access to Brazos County court records, utilize these official resources:

  • District Clerk's Office - Access information about filing and managing court documents through the District Clerk's office.

  • Court Dockets - View scheduled hearings and court sessions for various Brazos County courts.

  • Justice Web Portal - Search for court dates and case information through the county's official Justice Web portal.

  • Today's Docket - Check the daily court schedule for up-to-date information on hearings and sessions.

  • Brazos County Indigent Defense Plan - Learn about procedures for providing legal defense to those who cannot afford representation.