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Brazoria County Court Records

What Is Brazoria County Court Records

Brazoria 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. They serve as the official history of court actions and decisions within Brazoria County, Texas.

Court records typically include case filings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents submitted during legal proceedings. These records are maintained by either the Brazoria County Clerk's Office (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515) or the Brazoria County District Clerk's Office (111 E. Locust St, Suite 500, Angleton, TX 77515), depending on the court that handled the case.

Are Court Records Public In Brazoria County

Yes, most court records in Brazoria County are considered public information under Texas law and the Freedom of Information Act. This means that any person can request access to these documents without having to provide a reason for their request.

However, there are important exceptions to public access. Certain records may be sealed or redacted to protect:

  • Juvenile records
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health cases
  • Cases involving minors
  • Certain family law matters
  • Information deemed confidential by statute or court order

Even for public records, personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, and certain medical information is typically redacted to protect privacy.

How To Find Court Records in Brazoria County in 2025

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

  1. Visit the Brazoria County Clerk's Office (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515) for county court records.
  2. Visit the Brazoria County District Clerk's Office (111 E. Locust St, Suite 500, Angleton, TX 77515) for district court records.
  3. Use the online search tools provided by the county (details in the next section).
  4. Submit a written request for records that aren't available online.

When searching for records, you'll need basic information such as:

  • The case number (if known)
  • Names of parties involved
  • Approximate date of the case
  • Type of case

For in-person requests, bring identification and be prepared to pay any applicable fees for copies of documents.

How To Look Up Court Records in Brazoria County Online?

Brazoria County offers several online resources for accessing court records:

  1. The Brazoria County Clerk's website provides access to county court records through their online portal. Visit the Criminal Records Search page at the County Clerk's website to search for criminal cases.

  2. The Brazoria County District Clerk's Office maintains a separate online database for district court records. Their system allows searches for civil, family, and felony criminal cases.

  3. For Justice of the Peace and some Municipal Court records, check with the specific court as some have their own online systems.

To use these online systems:

  • Create an account if required
  • Enter search criteria (names, case numbers, dates)
  • Review the results and select specific cases to view
  • Pay any applicable fees for document copies

Note that while basic case information is typically available online, full document access may require additional fees or in-person requests.

Can You Search Brazoria County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search basic Brazoria County court records for free, but there are limitations:

  • Basic case information (party names, case numbers, filing dates, case types, and status) is generally available at no cost through the online portals or in person.
  • The Brazoria County Clerk's Office (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515) and District Clerk's Office (111 E. Locust St, Suite 500, Angleton, TX 77515) allow free searches of their indices.
  • Public access terminals at the courthouse provide free access to search court records.

However, fees typically apply for:

  • Copies of documents (both paper and electronic)
  • Certified copies of records
  • Extensive research assistance from clerk staff
  • Subscription services for bulk or regular access

Current fees (as of 2025) are approximately $1.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies, though these rates may vary.

What's Included in a Brazoria County Court Record?

A typical Brazoria County court record contains:

  1. Case Information:

    • Case number and filing date
    • Names of all parties involved
    • Names of attorneys representing parties
    • Judge assigned to the case

  2. Legal Documents:

    • Petitions and complaints
    • Answers and responses
    • Motions filed by either party
    • Court orders and judgments
    • Hearing and trial transcripts (if requested)
    • Evidence admitted during proceedings

  3. Case History:

    • Chronological listing of all actions taken
    • Scheduled and past court dates
    • Disposition of the case

  4. Financial Information:

    • Court costs and fees assessed
    • Payment records
    • Fine information (in criminal cases)

The specific contents vary depending on the type of case and its complexity.

How Long Does Brazoria County Keep Court Records?

Brazoria 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 type, with divorce records kept permanently
  • Probate records: Permanently maintained
  • Juvenile records: Special retention rules apply, with some records sealed or destroyed when the individual reaches adulthood

The Brazoria County Archives Department (451 N. Velasco, Suite 180, Angleton, TX 77515) maintains historical court records that have been transferred from the active court system.

Digital records are increasingly common, allowing for longer retention periods than paper records. However, access methods may change as records age and technology evolves.

Types of Courts In Brazoria County

Brazoria County has a multi-tiered court system:

  1. District Courts:

    • 23rd District Court (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • 149th District Court (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • 239th District Court (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • 300th District Court (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • 412th District Court (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)

  2. County Courts:

    • County Court at Law No. 1 (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • County Court at Law No. 2 (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • County Court at Law No. 3 (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • County Court at Law No. 4 (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • Probate Court (111 E. Locust St, Angleton, TX 77515)

  3. Justice of the Peace Courts (four precincts):

    • Precinct 1 (1524 E. Mulberry, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • Precinct 2 (21017 County Road 171, Angleton, TX 77515)
    • Precinct 3 (2436 CR 90, Pearland, TX 77584)
    • Precinct 4 (121 N. 10th Street, West Columbia, TX 77486)

  4. Municipal Courts (located in various cities throughout the county)

Each court maintains its own records, though the County Clerk and District Clerk are responsible for the official record-keeping of their respective courts.

What Types of Cases Do Brazoria County Courts Hear?

Different courts in Brazoria County handle specific types of cases:

  1. District Courts:

    • Felony criminal cases
    • Civil cases with amounts in controversy over $250,000
    • Family law matters (divorce, child custody, support)
    • Juvenile cases
    • Real property disputes

  2. County Courts at Law:

    • Misdemeanor criminal cases
    • Civil cases with amounts in controversy between $20,000 and $250,000
    • Appeals from justice and municipal courts
    • Some family law matters

  3. Probate Court:

    • Wills and estate administration
    • Guardianships
    • Mental health commitments

  4. Justice of the Peace Courts:

    • Civil cases up to $20,000
    • Class C misdemeanors
    • Traffic violations
    • Small claims
    • Evictions

  5. Municipal Courts:

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

The jurisdiction of these courts occasionally overlaps, and cases may be transferred between courts when appropriate.

How To Find a Court Docket In Brazoria County

A court docket is the schedule of cases to be heard by a court. To find a court docket in Brazoria County:

  1. Online Methods:

    • Visit the Brazoria County District Clerk's website for district court dockets
    • Check the Brazoria County Clerk's website for county court dockets
    • Some courts post their dockets directly on their individual web pages

  2. In-Person Methods:

    • Visit the appropriate clerk's office (District Clerk or County Clerk)
    • Check the bulletin boards near the courtrooms, which often display daily dockets
    • Contact the court coordinator for the specific court

  3. By Phone:

    • Call the District Clerk's Office at (979) 864-1260
    • Call the County Clerk's Office at (979) 864-1355
    • Contact the specific court directly

Dockets typically include the case number, parties' names, type of proceeding, and scheduled time. They are usually published a few days to a week in advance, though emergency hearings may be added with little notice.

Which Courts in Brazoria County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Brazoria County, the following courts are not courts of record, meaning they do not keep official transcripts of their proceedings:

  1. Justice of the Peace Courts (all four precincts)
  2. Most Municipal Courts (unless designated as "Municipal Courts of Record")

When a case is appealed from these courts, it receives a completely new trial (called a "trial de novo") in the county court, rather than a review of the record from the lower court.

All other courts in Brazoria County are courts of record, including:

  • All District Courts
  • All County Courts at Law
  • The Probate Court
  • Any Municipal Courts specifically designated as "Municipal Courts of Record"

For courts that are not courts of record, while they don't maintain official transcripts, they do still keep case files with documents filed in the case, judgments rendered, and other basic information.

Lookup Court Records in Brazoria County

For comprehensive access to Brazoria County court records, these official resources provide the most accurate and up-to-date information:

  • Search and Request Court Cases - The official Brazoria County Clerk's portal for searching and requesting copies of court cases, including criminal, civil, and probate cases.

  • Brazoria County District Clerk - The official website of the Brazoria County District Clerk, offering access to district court records and other legal documents.

These resources allow you to search for specific cases, view basic case information, and request copies of court documents according to the county's established procedures.

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