Jim Wells County
Jim Wells County was established in 1911 and named in honor of James Wells, a prominent political figure and lawyer in southern Texas. As of 2022, Jim Wells County had a population of over 39,060 residents and spans a land area of approximately 865.2 square miles. The county seat is Alice, which is also the largest city and serves as the region's economic and administrative hub.
The judicial system in Jim Wells County comprises the District, County, Constitutional, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Municipal Courts. The District Court handles cases such as felonies and contested civil matters, including disputes over $100,000. It also addresses family law cases, including divorces and child custody, probate cases, such as juvenile delinquency matters, and land title disputes. Moreover, it has exclusive authority over contested elections. On the other hand, the County Court handles general civil cases involving claims up to $100,000. It also presides over probate matters, including the administration of trusts, wills, estates, and guardianships. The County Court may address worker compensation cases and certain family law matters. The Constitutional County Court handles misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $500 or jail terms of up to one year. It also oversees probate cases, issues protective orders for domestic violence and sexual assault, and manages various administrative responsibilities for county government. The Justice of the Peace Court addresses certain criminal offenses such as misdemeanors punishable by fines only. It resolves general civil claims without financial limits, eviction cases, foreclosures of mortgages, and small claims. The Municipal Courts handle city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and misdemeanor cases occurring within city limits. They also process cases like animal control violations and code enforcement issues.
Jim Wells County public court records are official documents generated during legal proceedings within the county. These include:
- Criminal records
- Civil case records
- Family law records
- Probate records
- Land and property records
- Traffic and ordinance violation records.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most records are generally open to the public unless restricted by law. Confidential records, such as juvenile and sealed cases, are exempt from public disclosure. In Jim Wells County District Court records are maintained by the District Clerk while the County Texas County Clerk manages the County Court records. Requests for court records can be made via email, phone, or in person at the courthouse at:
200 North Almond Street
Alice, TX 78332
Phone: (361) 668-5706
Email: countycourtatlaw@co.jim-wells.tx.us
Records can also be searched online through the Texas Online Records Portal or the re:SearchTX system, which allows name-based and case-number-based searches. Residents may access records and file requests for certified copies in person or online, with fees applicable for certain document types.
