Bell County, named after Peter Hansborough Bell, a governor of Texas and established in 1850, is located in Central Texas. Bell County has a population of over 374,000 residents and covers an area of about 1,088 square miles. Bell County, with its county seat in Belton, is renowned for its strong military presence due to Fort Hood, one of the largest military installations in the world.

Courts in Bell County

Bell County's court system is comprised of District, Constitutional, County, Justice, and Municipal courts. The 6 District Courts in Bell County have jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The District Court also presides over family law matters such as child custody and divorce, as well as juvenile cases, including delinquencies and child abuse and neglect cases.

The Constitutional Courts preside over some criminal and civil cases and have original jurisdiction over probate cases such as wills, trusts, mental health, and guardianship proceedings. The 3 County Courts at Law presides over misdemeanor criminal and civil cases for less than $10,000. The court also has jurisdiction over family law and juvenile matters, handling divorce, child custody, juvenile delinquencies, and child abuse lawsuits.

The Justice of Peace Courts presides over criminal cases such as preliminary hearings and traffic misdemeanors and civil cases such as foreclosures of mortgages and small claims. The Municipal Courts hear limited cases such as violations of city ordinances, traffic tickets, and other misdemeanors occurring within city limits.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Bell County

The Clerk of the Courts is the record custodian for court records in Bell County and provides electronic access to public court records using the Odyssey Portal. Record seekers may also visit the courthouse during office hours to obtain court records. The Clerk’s Office also entertains mail requests for public court records.

Types of Public Court Records in Bell County

Public court records open to Bell County residents for inspection, viewing, and copying include:

• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanor records, including arson, grand theft, disorderly conduct, and petty theft
• Civil Court Records: Business litigations, personal injury claims, contract disputes, and employment disputes
• Probate Records: Wills, estate, guardianships, trusts, and conservatorships
• Family Court Records: Marriage annulment, divorce, alimony, child custody, and child support records
• Traffic Records: Speeding tickets, illegal parking, driving without valid licenses, and driving under the influence

Confidential Court Records in Bell County

Confidential court records in Bell County refer to the documents and information from the courts restricted from public view. Confidential court records are sealed to protect the privacy and safety of the individual named on the court document. Confidential court records in Bell County include:

• Adoption records
• Medical and mental health records
• Substance abuse commitment records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Juvenile Court records

Similarly, personal data contained in court records are confidential. They are redacted from the court document to prevent potential harm, identity theft, or financial fraud to the record holder. Personal identifiers excluded from public view include:

• Birthdates
• Home and personal email addresses
• Social Security number
• Financial account information
• Tax identification numbers

Juvenile Delinquency in Bell, TX

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Bell County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Texas often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 721 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Bell County. Of that total, 98% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 709 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Bell County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Bell County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Bell County, TX

https://texas.gov/

County Seat:	Belton
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1850
Total Square Miles:	1,088
2019 Population:	347,833
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	PO BOX 768 County Courthouse Belton , TX 76513-0768 http://www.bellcountytx.com/

Bell County, TX Courts