Hays County
Hays County, with a population of 241,067, as of the 2020 census, is listed as one of the fastest-growing counties in the US. Named after John Coffee Hays, Hays County was formed from Travis County in 1848. It has a land area of 678 square miles and is located in the center of Texas. San Marcos is its largest city and county seat.
The Hays County court system comprises the following:
- Hays County Constitutional Court - hears some misdemeanors, juvenile cases, probate matters, and small claims civil cases under $10,000
- Hays County Courts at Law -.hears probate, guardianship, and civil matters. It shares jurisdiction with the Justice of the Peace Court
- Hays County Justice of the Peace - there are seven Justice of Peace locations/precincts in Hays County, namely Precincts 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2, 3, 4, and 5. They handle traffic infractions, misdemeanors, and preliminary felony hearings
- Hays County municipal courts hear minor misdemeanor cases, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic offenses. The six municipal courts in Hays County are in Buda, Dripping Springs, Kyle, San Marcos, Wimberley, and Woodcreek
- Hays County District Courts - they are the highest courts in the county, and they handle cases beyond the jurisdiction of other county courts. They hear criminal, probate, civil, and domestic relations cases. There are four District Courts in Hays County: 22nd, 207th, 274th, and 428th Judicial District Courts
In Hays County, public court records consist of court filings, writs, transcripts, orders, legal proceedings, and judgments of the county's courts. Hays County does not have a central database for storing court records. Each court is responsible for their public court records. However, the Hays County Clerk maintains all public court records from the Justice, Constitutional, and County at Law Courts, while the Hays County District Court Clerk maintains those of the District courts.
The records generated from the following are available to the public:
- Criminal Cases
- Traffic Cases
- Probate Cases
- Civil Cases
- Family Law Cases
Hays County allows the public to search for non-confidential court records online. The portal allows users to access records from the District, Justice, Court at Law, and Constitutional Courts. Some municipal courts also allow the public to access their non-confidential records online. In addition, the District Courts have terminals for members of the public to search for court records. Alternatively, members of the public may visit any of the courts to request the public court records filed at those locations.
