Rusk County
Named after Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a prominent figure in the history of Texas, Rusk County, Texas, was established in 1843. Covering an area of approximately 939 square miles, the county is located in the eastern region of the state. The county's seat is Henderson. According to the United States Census Bureau, Rusk County had an estimated population of 53,079 as of July 1, 2023. The court system in Rusk County comprises District Court, Constitutional County Court, County Court at Law, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts.
Rusk County District Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. These include juvenile cases, family law disputes, and felony trials. Constitutional County Court hears cases involving the probate of wills and misdemeanors. The Rusk County Court at Law has jurisdiction over certain criminal and civil cases, including guardianships, mental health proceedings, violations of health, and civil cases where the amount in controversy is less than $100,000. Also, the court hears appeals from the Justice and Municipal Courts. Justice Courts in Rusk County handle cases involving evictions and small claims where the amount is between $200 and $10,000. Municipal Courts handle violations of city ordinances and Class C misdemeanors, such as code infractions and traffic tickets.
Public court records, which include case files, dockets, and court orders, are managed by the Rusk County Clerk's Office. In compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, public records, including court records, are accessible to the public, except for confidential records such as adoption records, juvenile cases, and sensitive family law records. Publicly available court records in Rusk County include:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Traffic violations
- Probate records
Rusk County's public court records may be accessed online through re: SearchTX. Individuals may obtain physical copies of court records by submitting their requests at the Clerk's Office located at:
115 North Main Street
Henderson, TX 75652
Phone: (903) 657-0330
