Navarro County
Navarro County, which was formed from Robertson County in 1846, is located in north-central Texas. The Trinity River lies on its northeastern border, while its remaining territory is bounded by Ellis, Henderson, Freestone, and Limestone Counties. Navarro County also has an estimated population of 55,635, and Corsicana is its county seat. It is named in honor of Jose Antonio Navarro, a Texas patriot and Tejano leader who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
The Navarro County trial court structure encompasses a district court, a constitutional county court, a county court at law, justice courts, and municipal courts. The Navarro County District Court (or the 13th District Court) is a general jurisdiction court that adjudicates civil and criminal cases outside the lower courts' purview. It hears felonies, certain misdemeanors (including official misconduct), lesser offenses, injunctive relief cases, and divorce. Land title disputes, enforcement of property liens, election disputes, defamation, habeas corpus, tax matters, and general civil claims exceeding other courts' authority also fall under its jurisdiction. In addition, the District Court oversees probate, family, and juvenile case proceedings.
The Constitutional County Court oversees all probate suits (excluding protested probate cases), domestic violence protective orders, juvenile matters, and misdemeanor crimes punishable by fines not exceeding $500 or 12 months imprisonment. It also oversees Navarro County administrative duties via a County Commissioners Court, which solely regulates governmental functions.
The County Court at Law in Navarro County is a limited jurisdiction court with its jurisdiction defined by state legislation. Typical cases heard in this Court include Class A and B misdemeanors, civil claims between $500 and $100,000, and health and safety ordinance violations. Additionally, it shares jurisdiction with the District and Constitutional County Courts and has appellate jurisdiction over the Justice and Municipal Courts.
The Navarro County Justice Courts (or Justice of the Peace Courts), which are organized into four precincts, have limited authority to hear civil and criminal cases. Typical cases heard in these courts include preliminary felony hearings, traffic infractions, and fine-based misdemeanors. They also oversee property liens enforcement, forcible entry and detainer cases, small claims, and mortgage foreclosure suits.
Navarro County's Municipal Courts exercise original and exclusive judicial authority over violations of municipal ordinances, including safety, zoning, and public health violations. Initial felony hearings, forfeitures, and suits relating to bail/personal bonds determination, also fall within their jurisdiction. They, however, share jurisdiction with the Justice Courts over Class C misdemeanor crimes and the search/arrest warrant issuances.
Navarro County court records are detailed records created during court trials and maintained by a court clerk about civil and criminal case proceedings. Court dockets, charging sheets, case transcripts, court orders, and decrees are usually contained in court records. Navarro County court records, which are generally have different formats, include:
- Civil records
- Probate records
- Family law records
- Probate records
The Navarro County District Court Clerk is tasked with maintaining court records. Court records access, according to the Texas Open Records Policy, is defined by court rules, common law, and statutory law, and records seekers can inspect and copy them after submitting written requests and paying specified fees. The Texas Judicial Branch provides statewide access to case information online through re:Search TX. Physical copies of court records can also be obtained in person at the District Clerk's Office, while Navarro County court dockets are available online on the District Clerk's website.
