Located in the Coastal Plain Region of Southeast Texas, Jefferson County has the highest number of African Americans in the state. As of the 2020 census, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded the county’s population as 256,526. The county has an area of 876.7 square miles, and its county seat is Beaumont.

Courts in Jefferson County

Jefferson County is home to District Courts, a Constitutional County Court, County Courts at Law, Probate Courts, Juvenile Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Magistrate Court.

The District Courts in Jefferson County have general jurisdiction. The Criminal Division has original criminal jurisdiction in felony cases. The Civil Division handles cases relating to election disputes, slander, divorce, breach of contract, etc.

The Constitutional County Court in Jefferson County handles both civil and criminal cases. The court has original criminal jurisdiction over Class A and B misdemeanors. It also has concurrent jurisdiction over some civil cases with the District Courts and Justice of the Peace Courts. 

County Courts at Law possess concurrent jurisdiction over many cases with the District Courts in Jefferson County. They handle civil and criminal cases on appeal from Justice and Municipal Courts in the county. Their civil jurisdiction extends to general civil claims where the amount in dispute exceeds $500 but is less than $200,000. They also hear criminal cases, including those related to misdemeanors, that are punishable by a fine or jail sentence not exceeding one year.

Probate Courts exclusively handle probate matters. Their jurisdiction extends to matters involving the administration of the estate of the deceased, wills, guardianships and conservatorships, and mental health commitments.

Juvenile Courts have jurisdiction over minors between the ages of ten and seventeen. They hear cases related to juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, child protection, and status offenses.

Justice of the Peace Courts in the county only exercise jurisdiction over some types of criminal and civil cases. They hear civil cases such as small claims and forcible entry cases. They also have original jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors and may issue search and arrest warrants.

Magistrate Courts in Jefferson County have jurisdiction over certain types of criminal and civil cases. The court’s criminal jurisdiction extends to felony preliminary hearings and ordinance violations. It also handles civil cases related to the ownership of dangerous dogs.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office is responsible for keeping court records emanating from courts in the county. Anyone interested in accessing court records in Jefferson County can do so by visiting the office in person to request a search of records. The location of the office is as follows:

Jefferson County Courthouse

1085 Pearl Street

Beaumont, TX 77701

Staff will be available at the office to demonstrate how to access the court records on the public workstations. Alternatively, Jefferson County runs a public portal that gives interested persons access to records online. Interested persons can search the portal to view or purchase any case they want. 

Types of Public Court Records in Jefferson County

Court records are generally accessible to members of the public unless sealed or restricted by court order or provisions of the law. Examples of court records that are open to the public include:

• Records of Civil Cases
• Docket Records
• Real Estate Records
• Criminal Records
• Drug Impact Court Records

Confidential Court Records in Jefferson County

While court records are generally available to the public, some are designated as confidential and sealed. These sealed records can only be accessed by the parties involved and their lawyers. Examples of confidential records include:

• Adoption Records
• Juvenile Delinquency Records
• Psychiatric Records
• Domestic Violence Victim Records
• Tax Records.

Juvenile Delinquency in Jefferson, TX

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Jefferson 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 508 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Jefferson County. Of that total, 95% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 484 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Jefferson County, TX

https://texas.gov/

County Seat:	Beaumont
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1836
Total Square Miles:	1,113
2019 Population:	256,299
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00

Jefferson County, TX Courts