Cameron County, established in 1848, was named after Captain Ewen Cameron, a Texas Ranger and soldier during the Texas Revolution. The county covers an approximate area of 3,303 square kilometers and is home to over 420,000 Texans. The county has its seat in Brownsville and is located in the southernmost tip of Texas, along the Gulf of Mexico and the United States.

Courts in Cameron County

Cameron County's judicial system comprises District, Probate, County, Justice, and Magistrate Courts. The District Courts preside over criminal and civil cases. The county has nine district courts, each with the authority to hear civil, criminal, and family court cases.

The Cameron County Probate Court specializes in matters related to wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments. The County Courts at Law in Cameron County serve as intermediate courts with jurisdiction over less severe criminal cases and civil cases involving smaller amounts of money. The Justice of Peace Courts are local courts with limited jurisdiction over minor criminal offenses, such as traffic violations and civil disputes, including small claims and landlord-tenant disputes. The Magistrate Court presides over cases involving violations of city ordinances, such as traffic tickets and other municipal code violations.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Cameron County

Public court records are the papers and documents from legal proceedings open to the public for inspection and copying. Public access to court records is available online using the Cameron County Public Portal. In addition, record seekers may visit the courthouses to view or copy the records or mail written requests for the court documents.

Types of Public Court Records in Cameron County

Public access to court records helps ensure that the judiciary in Cameron County operates transparently and fairly, promoting public trust in the legal system. The following court records are publicly available to Cameron County residents:

• Civil Court Records: Property disputes, foreclosures, landlord/tenant disputes, and employment contract litigations
• Criminal Court Records: Misdemeanor cases such as petty theft and simple assaults. Felony lawsuits, including drug trafficking and aggravated assaults
• Family Court Records: Divorce cases, annulments, legal separation, child custody, alimony, and child support
• Probate Records: Guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and wills
• Traffic Court Records: Traffic citations, including reckless driving, speed belt violations, hit and run, and driving without a valid license

Confidential Court Records in Cameron County

Confidential court records in Cameron County refer to court files and documents from judicial processes inaccessible to the general public. Confidential court records are sealed by statute or court order. Only judges, persons with a court order, judges, parties to the case, and specific government agencies may access confidential court records. Examples of confidential court records in Cameron County include:

• Juvenile records
• Mental health records
• Identity of confidential informants
• Domestic violence cases
• Trade secrets

Similarly, personal identifiers are confidential information within court records. Personal identifiers are information used to identify an individual. Personal identifiers are redacted from public court records to ensure the safety of the person named on the court document, comply with legal standards, and prevent identity theft. Confidential courts in Cameron County include:

• Home and personal email addresses
• Bank account numbers
• Health insurance information
• Tax identification numbers
• Social Security numbers

Juvenile Delinquency in Cameron, TX

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

In 2017, a total of 1475 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Cameron County. Of that total, 83% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 1222 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Cameron County, TX

https://texas.gov/

County Seat:	Brownsville
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1848
Total Square Miles:	1,276
2019 Population:	423,725
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	PO BOX 2178 County Courthouse Brownsville , TX 78522-2178 http://www.co.cameron.tx.us/

Cameron County, TX Courts