Kerr County
Founded in 1856, Kerr County was named in honor of James Kerr, a legislator of the Republic of Texas. The county has a land area of 1103.3 square miles and is widely known for its wide open spaces and abundant recreational activities.
In Kerr County, legal disputes are adjudicated by courts comprising the county's judicial system. These include the District Courts, County Courts, County Courts at Law, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. The District Court is the highest trial court in the county, with jurisdiction over felonies, land disputes, divorce cases, and civil claims involving $200 or more. The County Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, domestic violence, probate, juvenile, and mental health cases.
The County Courts at Law share jurisdiction with the District Court in family cases and civil claims of up to $250,000. They also share jurisdiction with the County Court in probate, guardianship, mental health, and juvenile matters. The County Courts of Law also handle class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from the Justice Courts and Municipal Courts.
The Justice Courts in Kerr County have authority over minor offenses, small claims not exceeding $20,000, and hearings relating to suspension of driver licenses. The cities of Ingram and Kerrville have municipal courts that handle simple offenses punishable by fine, including traffic offenses, ordinance violations, and simple assault.
Kerr County public court records contain official information about legal proceedings in the courts. Examples of information such records may contain include parties' names, case numbers, docket information, hearing dates, court orders, and parties' pleadings. Each court in the county has officials who collate, maintain, and grant public access to case records, including the following:
- Civil records
- Small claims records
- Family law records
- Traffic records
- Probate records
- Criminal records
Kerr County runs an online portal where record seekers can find public court records. However, to obtain physical copies of the District Court records, email a completed Request for Records form to the Clerk of the District Courts. To obtain records of the County Court and County Courts at Law, email a completed request form to the County Clerk's office. The appropriate forms for each type of case are provided on the County Clerk's website. Finally, records of the Justice Courts and Municipal Courts may be accessed at the courts' respective locations.
