Taylor County, Texas State Court Records
Taylor County Court Records are an official collection of documents and information filed and recorded in relation to legal proceedings in the county court. Court records may be civil and criminal court records, probate documents, family court records, and divorce records, and are typically available through online case management systems maintained by the Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Taylor County Court Records are generated by the filing of documents, which can be charges in criminal cases or complaints accompanied by an affidavit, or filing suits or pre-action notices in civil cases, filing private documents like wills for the administration of an estate, or filing forms for the dissolution of marriage. Although the documents may differ, the first step is usually filing. Court records may be identified by the names of the parties, the docket number or case number, the type of case, and the name of the filing/adjudicating court.
In line with the Texas Public Information Act, Taylor County Court records are generally public records. Except where specific exemptions may apply, all members of the public can access and request copies of court records in Taylor County. Furthermore, Taylor County court records contain information related to arrest records and criminal history records. An offender is often arrested first before formally charged and arraigned before a judge or magistrate, the information recorded during the arrest, booking, and interrogation process informs the charges or complaint to be filed by the prosecutor for the state, likewise when a defendant is found guilty in court, the guilty verdict and records of arrest and sentencing/fees are documented in the defendant’s criminal history record.
Are Taylor County Court Records Public?
Yes. The Texas Public Information Act explains that all persons have the right of access to public information, that is, information written, filed, produced, or maintained under law in connection with the transaction of the official responsibilities and duties of a public agency.
However, this law does not apply to confidential records. Confidential records are deemed as exempt from public disclosure and can only be accessed by parties with a legal interest in the records. Such exemptions apply to;
- Birth and death records
- Trade secrets
- Information protected by law, statute, or court order
- Information in the custody of law enforcement or the prosecutor that deals with the detection, investigation, and prosecution of crime
- Financial information
- Minor victim of a criminal offence
- Information on victims of sexual offenses and human trafficking
What Information is Available in Taylor County Court Records?
Researchers can find the following information available in the Taylor County Court Records.
- The case name (For example, The State of Texas vs Thomas Jean)
- Party information: The names of the parties
- Case type (adult misdemeanor, dissolution of marriage)
- Case number
- Date filed
- Case status (Disposed, dismissed, or closed)
- Location of Court
- Charge information
- Events and orders of court
- Dispositions
- Sentence
Taylor County Court Records Search
Taylor County Court Records can be obtained online through a record search, by sending a record request to the Circuit Court clerk’s office, or by visiting the courthouse to view or request copies of court records.
- Online Access - Taylor Court case records are available online through the county’scourt records inquiry. This case management system allows users to search by court, criminal case records, and civil division records (civil, family, and probate cases). The case search website hosts records for cases filed after September 1994. Members of the public can access case information using the case status or party information (name, business, or agency name)
- In-Person Access - Interested persons may visit the office of the Taylor County Court Clerk to view or request copies of court records. Although Taylor County provides online access to court records, online records more often than not contain basic case information and summaries. To access a more comprehensive version of court records and other documents, visitors may use the search terminals available at the office of the Taylor County Circuit Court Clerk. At the courthouse, visitors can search for cases by party name, case number, or case type. Individuals can also submit requests for copies of court records in person. While mere online searches and records inspection are free, requesting copies of court records attracts administrative fees.
Taylor County Clerk’s Office
300 Oak Street,
Suite 100 Abilene, TX 79602
- Mail and Phone Requests - To inquire about court records or obtain them by phone call or mail, call the Taylor County Clerk’s Office at 325-674-1202 or complete and mail the Request for Records form to the address below. The mail should be in a self-addressed stamped envelope in order to process the return.
Taylor County District Clerk’s Office
300 Oak Street, Suite 400
Abilene, TX 79602
Fees for Court Records in Taylor County
In order to search for or request copies of Taylor County court records, the requester must have the case number. Without the case number, the person will be charged a $5 records search fee. The Clerk of the Circuit Court also charges $1 per page for making copies of documents, and $2 for certifying copies of any instruments in the public records.
Taylor County Courthouse Locations
The Taylor County Courthouse is the only courthouse in Taylor County. This court has a circuit and district division that handles all criminal, civil, family court, and probate matters within its jurisdiction.
Taylor County Courthouse
300 Oak Street, Suite 100
Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: (325) 674-1202
Criminal Records Access in Taylor County
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for filing and managing arrest records and jail records for the county, and not criminal history records. The central repository for criminal records in Texas is the Department of Public Safety, Crime Records. The department allows individuals to conduct criminal history checks, fingerprinting services, and background searches.
Although interested persons may find criminal case information through arrest records and criminal court case records. Criminal court case records contain information about the charges, arguments, pleadings, motions, and the verdict.
Taylor County Probate Records
Probate often involves determining the validity of a will in court. The Taylor County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over matters related to probate, including wills, estates, guardianship of minors and incapacitated persons, conservatorship, and other related legal proceedings.
The Taylor Circuit Court Clerk files and maintains all probate documents. While documents like wills may not be publicly available documents, interested persons may find other relevant Taylor County Probate Court Records or relevant court documents online at the County Case Records Inquiry.
For older probate documents, interested persons should submit the Request for Records form and mail it to the Taylor County Court Clerk’s Office.
County | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Taylor County | Taylor County Court | 300 Oak Street, Suite 400, Abilene, TX 79602 | (325) 674-1202 | 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Mondays through Fridays |
Taylor County Family Court Records
The Taylor County District Court handles all family law and domestic relations matters, including child support, spousal support, visitation, termination of parental rights, divorce, custody, child abuse, domestic violence, and others. Individuals may find Taylor County Family Court records online or by requesting copies of court records by mail.
Most family court records center around children who are often minors. In such cases, records of these proceedings may either be fully exempt from public disclosure or be redacted to the extent of their confidentiality.
Federal Court Records in Taylor County
Federal case jurisdiction for Taylor County falls within the ambit of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. This court has jurisdiction to hear all federal cases arising in Taylor County. Federal case records are maintained and can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). All federal court records are available through PACER, which is an internet-based system that helps individuals file and access federal case information.