Court records of Kaufman County, Texas, are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk and are accessible through official court portals, directly at the court office, and via online tools. KaufmanCourt.us will help you quickly navigate the publicly available information about court cases in this county. Additional information can be obtained on the official Kaufman County website, through the court clerk's office, or Texas public records.
Kaufman Court System Overview
Kaufman County is part of the 86th Judicial District of Texas. The 86th District Court handles cases exclusively within this county. Additionally, there is a County Court at Law that handles a significant portion of medium-severity civil and criminal cases.
The courthouse is located in the city of Kaufman, the county seat:
The Justice of the Peace Courts and municipal courts handle minor cases such as traffic violations and small claims. The District Court has jurisdiction over serious criminal and civil cases with large claims.
Courts Serving Kaufman
Below is a list of courts serving the residents of the county:
| Court | Address / Contacts |
|---|---|
| 86th District Court | 100 W. Mulberry St., Kaufman, TX 75142 |
| Kaufman County Court at Law | 100 W. Mulberry St., Kaufman, TX 75142 |
| Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1–4) | Located in various parts of the county; refer to the county website for specific precinct addresses |
| Municipal Courts (Kaufman, Terrell, Forney, etc.) | Each city has its own municipal court; contacts are available on the respective city websites |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas | 211 W. Ferguson St., Tyler, TX 75702 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas | 110 N. College Ave., Tyler, TX 75702 |
What Types of Cases Kaufman Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases. Here is a brief overview:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations and minor offenses
- Civil claims of various scales, including small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support
- Probate matters, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile and child protection cases
- Adoption, paternity establishment
More details on each category are provided in the following sections.
District Court Cases in Kaufman
The 86th District Court handles the most serious cases. These include serious criminal charges after a grand jury has approved an indictment. Civil claims exceeding the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law are also handled by the district judge.
Cases are distributed among judges according to internal rules. Appeals from lower county courts and post-criminal motions (such as habeas corpus) also fall under this court's jurisdiction. Family cases involving termination of parental rights or complex custody disputes are often heard here.
Magistrate Court Cases in Kaufman
The County Court at Law in Kaufman handles misdemeanors, DWI cases, and civil claims ranging from $200 to $200,000, according to Texas law. Justice of the Peace Courts handle small claims up to $20,000, eviction cases, and traffic violations.
Preliminary hearings in criminal cases, such as bail setting, are conducted by magistrate judges. In a high-volume county like Kaufman, these functions are often performed by the precinct's justice of the peace. Arrests are recorded in the Intake Division of the county jail, where an arrest record is created.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Kaufman
Family Law
Divorces, custody disputes, child support, and protective orders are handled by either the District Court or the County Court at Law, depending on the complexity of the case. Paternity establishment and termination of parental rights usually fall under the 86th District Court. Marriage and divorce records can be verified through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Probate and Guardianship
Probate matters, such as estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust issues, are handled by the County Court at Law. If a case becomes contentious, it may be transferred to the District Court.
Juvenile Matters
Cases under the Juvenile Justice Code and child protection (CPS) cases are confidential. Access to these records is strictly limited by Texas law. For information, contact the court office directly.
How Cases Move Through the Kaufman Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with an indictment or complaint; a civil case starts with the filing of a petition with the clerk's office.
- Judge Assignment. The clerk registers the case and assigns it according to the county's internal rules.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, this is the arraignment (reading of charges and plea entry). In civil cases, it is a preliminary scheduling conference.
- Pre-Trial Stage. Parties exchange evidence (discovery) and file motions. In criminal cases, plea bargains may occur.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a sentence, jury verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. The convicted party is sentenced. Parties may appeal. In civil cases, the judgment is enforced.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Kaufman
The administrative judge of the 86th Judicial District coordinates the courts' operations at the county level. Local court rules are published on the county website and through the Texas Office of Court Administration system.
Public access to records is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552, Government Code). Court records maintained by the county clerk are generally open for free inspection, except for mental health and juvenile cases. Copies of documents are provided for a set fee.
Requests under the Public Information Act can be mailed to:
Hearings are typically held in person at the courthouse. Some proceedings may occur remotely; check with the specific court office for details. Clerk's office phone: (972) 932-4331.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Kaufman
- Case Search. District Court and County Court at Law records can be searched through the clerk's portal. The Searches & Copies page explains access procedures and copy fees.
- Inmate Information. The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office provides information on individuals held in the county jail and visitation schedules. An alternative resource is the sheriff's website.
- Arrest Records. The Intake Division processes documents upon arrest; these records are then used by the prosecution.
- Vital Records. Birth, marriage, and death certificates are issued by the Kaufman County Clerk as a local registration office. Documents can be ordered online through the OVRA — official DSHS application. General information on state vital records is available on the Texas Vital Records page.
- Texas Sex Offender Registry. Available through the Texas Department of Public Safety at publicsite.dps.texas.gov/SexOffenderRegistry.
- TDCJ Inmate Search. Information on individuals in state correctional facilities can be found on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website — offender.tdcj.texas.gov.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources. Standard Texas court forms are available on the Texas Law Help website and through TexasLawHelp.org. The county clerk's office can also provide forms for typical filings.
If you need general guidance on court records in this county, start with KaufmanCourt.us — it offers links to publicly available data and explanations on search procedures.