Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County was formed on January 24, 1852, and named after Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest who led the fight for Mexican independence. One of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, Hidalgo County has a total area of approximately 1570.96 square miles and is the southernmost landlocked county in the country.
The Hidalgo County trial court system primarily comprises the District Courts, County Courts-at-law, Probate Court, and Justices of the Peace. District Courts handle all felony crimes, divorces, land title disputes, election contests, and civil lawsuits exceeding $200,000. They also handle any other legal matters not assigned to a designated specialized court.
County Courts-at-Law share jurisdiction with the Justice of the Peace and District courts for minor civil cases. They also handle all Class A and B misdemeanor criminal cases independently. The Probate Court handles matters of wills and estates, while the Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction to handle small claims lawsuits, traffic violations, and minor criminal offenses.
There is also the Master Court, which hears child support cases; the Magistrate Court, which handles the preliminary stages of criminal proceedings; and the Child Protection Court, which handles child protection and welfare cases.
Public court records in Hidalgo County are documents from legal proceedings and applications before a Hidalgo County court. They include case transcripts, court orders, judgments, and court processes or filings. The Hidalgo County Clerk and District Court Clerk function as the official repository for Hidalgo County court records, and these records are generally available for public inspection.
The District Court Clerk is primarily responsible for records of civil and criminal cases, appeals, child support, divorce decrees, and Grand Jury inquiries, while the County Clerk handles other records.
Note that inspection of public court records may require a fee, depending on the court and the case. To access or obtain court records, you may contact the District Court Clerk at (956) 318-2200 or the County Clerk's Office at (956) 318-2100, as applicable, to make the relevant inquiries and confirm the requirements, cost, and procedure. Alternatively, you may visit the relevant office.
