Search Public Records
Lubbock Public Records /Lubbock County Court Records

Lubbock County Court Records

What Is Lubbock County Court Records

Lubbock County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system during legal proceedings. These records document various court activities, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family matters, and probate proceedings. The Lubbock County District Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 220, Lubbock, TX 79401) and County Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 201, Lubbock, TX 79401) are responsible for maintaining these records, ensuring they are properly filed, stored, and made accessible to the public as required by law.

Are Court Records Public In Lubbock County

Yes, most court records in Lubbock County are public information under Texas law and the Public Information Act. This means that citizens have the right to access and review these documents. However, certain exceptions exist to protect privacy and sensitive information. Records that may be restricted include:

  • Juvenile cases
  • Certain family court matters
  • Cases involving sexual assault victims
  • Records sealed by court order
  • Mental health proceedings
  • Adoption records

The Lubbock County Clerk's Office provides access to these public records while ensuring that confidential information remains protected according to state laws.

How To Find Court Records in Lubbock County in 2025

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

  1. Visit in person: Go to the Lubbock County District Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 220, Lubbock, TX 79401) for district court records or the County Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 201, Lubbock, TX 79401) for county court records.

  2. Online access: Use the Lubbock County's online record search systems through the official county website.

  3. Mail requests: Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk's office with specific case information.

  4. Email requests: Some records can be requested via email to the clerk's offices.

  5. Phone inquiries: Call the District Clerk's Office at (806) 775-1124 or County Clerk's Office at (806) 775-1061 for guidance on accessing specific records.

When requesting records, be prepared to provide:

  • Case number (if known)
  • Names of parties involved
  • Approximate date of the case
  • Type of case
  • Your contact information

How To Look Up Court Records in Lubbock County Online?

Lubbock County offers several online resources to access court records:

  1. Lubbock County Clerk's Online Document Search: Visit erecord.lubbockcounty.gov/recorder/web/ to search for records maintained by the County Clerk.

  2. Lubbock County Public Access Portal: This system provides access to court case information, including case status, hearings, and parties involved.

  3. District Clerk's Online Access: Available through the Lubbock County website, this service provides access to district court records for attorneys and authorized users.

  4. Texas Judicial Branch Website: For some case information at the state level.

To use these online systems effectively:

  • Create an account if required
  • Have specific case information ready
  • Be aware that some documents may require fees to view or download
  • Understand that certain confidential records will not be available online

Can You Search Lubbock County Court Records for Free?

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

Free options include:

  • Basic case information searches through the Lubbock County Public Access portal
  • In-person viewing of non-confidential records at the clerk's offices
  • Limited information available on the Texas Judicial Branch website

Fee-based services include:

  • Copies of court documents (typically $1.00 per page)
  • Certified copies (additional certification fee)
  • Complete case file access through subscription services
  • Document downloads from online systems

The Lubbock County District Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 220, Lubbock, TX 79401) can provide a current fee schedule for various record requests.

What's Included in a Lubbock County Court Record?

A typical Lubbock County court record may include:

  • Case number and filing date
  • Names of all parties involved (plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys)
  • Court orders and judgments
  • Pleadings and motions filed by parties
  • Hearing and trial transcripts (if requested and prepared)
  • Evidence admitted during proceedings
  • Financial information (fines, fees, payments)
  • Case disposition and outcome
  • Probation or sentencing information for criminal cases
  • Docket entries showing case activity

The specific contents vary depending on the type of case and its complexity. Some sensitive information may be redacted or restricted from public view.

How Long Does Lubbock County Keep Court Records?

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

  • Criminal cases: Felony records are typically kept permanently; misdemeanor records may be kept for 5-10 years after case disposition
  • Civil cases: Generally kept for 12 years after final judgment
  • Family law cases: Often retained permanently, especially those involving children
  • Probate cases: Typically kept permanently
  • Small claims and justice court cases: Usually kept for 5-10 years

The Lubbock County Archives (916 Main Street, Lubbock, TX 79401) maintains historical court records, with some dating back to the county's formation in 1891. Digital preservation efforts are ongoing to ensure long-term access to these important documents.

Types of Courts In Lubbock County

Lubbock County has a structured court system with various levels:

  1. District Courts:

    • 72nd District Court (904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • 99th District Court (904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • 137th District Court (904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • 140th District Court (904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • 237th District Court (904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • 364th District Court (904 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401)
  2. County Courts at Law:

    • County Court at Law #1 (916 Main Street, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • County Court at Law #2 (916 Main Street, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • County Court at Law #3 (916 Main Street, Lubbock, TX 79401)
  3. Justice of the Peace Courts:

    • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 (916 Main Street, Suite 300, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (916 Main Street, Suite 300, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (6204 Woodrow Road, Lubbock, TX 79424)
    • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 (10607 Frankford Ave, Suite 100, Lubbock, TX 79424)
  4. Municipal Courts:

    • Lubbock Municipal Court (1014 Texas Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79401)
  5. Specialty Courts:

    • Drug Court
    • Veterans Court
    • Mental Health Court

Each court has specific jurisdiction and handles different types of cases.

What Types of Cases Do Lubbock County Courts Hear?

Lubbock County courts handle a wide range of legal matters:

District Courts:

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

County Courts at Law:

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Civil cases with amounts in controversy between $20,000 and $250,000
  • Probate and guardianship proceedings
  • Mental health commitments
  • Appeals from justice and municipal courts

Justice of the Peace Courts:

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

Municipal Courts:

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

How To Find a Court Docket In Lubbock County

A court docket is a schedule of cases to be heard by a particular court. To find a Lubbock County court docket:

  1. Online: Visit the Lubbock County website and access the Public Access portal to view upcoming court dates.

  2. In person: Visit the clerk's office for the specific court:

    • For District Courts: District Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 220, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • For County Courts: County Clerk's Office (916 Main Street, Suite 201, Lubbock, TX 79401)
    • For Justice Courts: Visit the specific Justice of the Peace office
  3. By phone: Call the clerk's office for the relevant court to inquire about docket information.

  4. Court bulletin boards: Physical copies of dockets are often posted outside courtrooms or in courthouse hallways.

Most dockets include:

  • Case numbers
  • Party names
  • Hearing types
  • Scheduled times
  • Assigned courtrooms
  • Presiding judges

Which Courts in Lubbock County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Lubbock County, the following courts are not courts of record, meaning they do not maintain official transcripts of proceedings:

  1. Justice of the Peace Courts: All four precincts operate as non-record courts. Appeals from these courts are heard de novo (completely new trial) in the County Courts at Law.

  2. Municipal Court (unless operating as a court of record): The Lubbock Municipal Court (1014 Texas Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79401) handles city ordinance violations and Class C misdemeanors but does not typically maintain verbatim records of proceedings.

When cases from these non-record courts are appealed, they receive a completely new trial in a higher court rather than a review of the previous proceedings.

Lookup Court Records in Lubbock County