Caldwell County
Caldwell County is situated in the south-central part of Texas and was named in honor of Matthew Caldwell, a prominent Texas revolutionary figure. Included in the Greater Austin metropolitan area, the county's area spans 547 square miles. A population of 49,859 people reside in the county as of 2023.
Structurally, the Caldwell County's court system is multi-tiered and consists of various courts, such as:
- District Courts: These are the primary trial courts with the authority to handle misdemeanors involving official misconduct, felony cases, divorce cases, contested election matters, and suits for title to land
- County Court at Law: This court hears all class A and B misdemeanors as well as probate and guardianship matters. It also has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Courts over juvenile cases
- Justice Courts: These courts have exclusive jurisdiction in civil matters in which the disputed amount does not exceed $200. They also have original jurisdiction in misdemeanor criminal cases punishable by fine only
- Municipal Courts: These courts are located in Luling, Lockhart, and Martindale and preside over certain municipal ordinance violations and misdemeanor criminal cases. Additionally, judges in the municipal courts may hold preliminary hearings, set bail, or discharge the accused
In Caldwell County, most court records generated during legal proceedings in the county courts are open for public inspection. Caldwell County residents can exercise their rights to review these records by visiting the office of the appropriate records custodian. The Caldwell County Clerk is the official record keeper for documents related to probate, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil cases. On the other hand, the District Clerk keeps court records for family law and felony cases.
Furthermore, electronic court records maintained by both the County Clerk and District Clerk are accessible to the public through the re:SearchTX website. Alternatively, individuals may perform record searches for district court cases in the District Clerk's Office for a nominal fee of $5 per name search. Additional fees apply for copying court records or obtaining certified copies of court documents.
