Hopkins County
Hopkins County, established in 1846, was named to honor early settler David Hopkins. As of 2022, more than 37,000 residents lived in Hopkins County, with a land area of about 768 square miles. The county seat and most populous city is Sulphur Springs.
The trial courts of Hopkins County include the District, County, Justices of the Peace, and Municipal Courts. Hopkins County has two District Courts: the 8th Judicial District and the 62nd Judicial District. These courts handle all electoral litigations, land title disputes, and felony proceedings. They also resolve administration of decedents' estates, guardianships, juvenile delinquencies, and domestic relations cases. The Hopkins County Court at Law has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy is up to $100,000. The County Courts also address legal proceedings involving workers' compensations, marriage annulments, protective order cases, and trusts. Appeals from the Justice and Municipal Courts are heard by the County Court judges. The two Justice of the Peace Courts in Hopkins County often presides over minor misdemeanors involving only fines. The Justice Courts also hear landlord-tenant disputes and civil claims for $20,000 or less. Traffic crimes and other civil violations are adjudicated by Hopkins County's Municipal Courts.
Hopkins County public court records are documents created during legal proceedings in the trial courts. The District Clerk keeps case files created in the District Courts, while the County Clerk in Hopkins is responsible for maintaining documents in the County Courts. Other trial courts have official record custodians tasked with storing and disseminating public court documents. Information available on Hopkins County court records typically includes attorney names, litigants' names, hearing dates, court locations, dockets, judgments, evidence, and appeal information. According to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA), anyone can view or request copies of the following court records in Hopkins County:
- Civil records
- Traffic records
- Probate records
- Property records
- Family law records
- Criminal court records
However, confidential records such as adoption, juvenile, substance abuse, and sealed records are available only to record owners. Individuals with valid court approvals can request confidential court records. Hopkins County public court records are accessible online via the re:SearchTX portal. To obtain court documents, requesters can contact the relevant court clerk or visit the county's courthouse at:
Hopkins County Courthouse
118 Church Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Phone (District Clerk): (903) 438-4081
Phone (County Clerk): (903) 438-4074
