Henderson County
Henderson County was established in 1846 and is located in eastern Texas. The county spans about 873.8 square miles, with a population exceeding 82,627. Its county seat is Athens.
Henderson County's judicial system comprises the District, Constitutional, County, Justice of the Peace, and Municipal Courts. The District Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, including felony criminal cases, lesser-included offenses, and land title disputes such as issues related to property titles, requests for enforcement of liens on land, and contested elections. It also handles certain civil cases involving personal injury, property damage, eminent domain, and contracts. In addition, probate issues, juvenile delinquency, and domestic relations cases fall under its jurisdiction. Meanwhile, the County Constitutional Court oversees certain misdemeanors punishable by a fine not more than $500 or incarceration not more than a year, general civil claims not exceeding $10,000, and juvenile matters. It may also handle domestic violence or sexual assault protective orders. County Court at Law handles most civil and criminal matters, including general civil claims up to $100,000, all misdemeanor criminal cases, family-related disputes such as divorce, child custody and support, and certain probate cases. Residents can appeal decisions from Justice and Municipal Courts here. On the other hand, Justice of the Peace Courts handles minor legal matters, including preliminary hearings, misdemeanors without potential penalties for a jail sentence, small claims of $20,000 or less, and some traffic infractions. Municipal Courts in Athens, Chandler, Eustace, and Seven Points primarily address felony preliminary hearings, city ordinance violations, cases related to forfeitures, and minor traffic offenses within city limits.
Henderson County court records are the official documentation of case trials, hearings, motions, pleadings, judgments, and other judicial activities generated during legal proceedings within the county. Public access to court records in Henderson County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act, which mandates transparency and accountability. These records serve as precedents for future judgments, and they include:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Traffic Records
- Probate Records
- Family Law Records
- Land Records
Certain records, such as juvenile, adoption, sealed cases, and confidential matters, are not publicly accessible by law. In Henderson County, different clerks are responsible for maintaining court records. The District Clerk is the custodian of records for District Court cases while the Henderson County Clerk maintains records for County Court proceedings. Record seekers can request court records by visiting the relevant clerk's office in person, sending an email, or calling the courthouse. Additionally, the re:SearchTX portal offers online access to certain records, allowing users to search by case number or party names for a fee.
For in-person visits, the Henderson County Courthouse is located at:
100 E Tyler St
Athens, TX 75751
Phone: (903) 675-6140
The courthouse is generally open during regular business hours, Mondays through Fridays.
