Nueces County was formed in 1846 and named after the Nueces River. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 353,178 people and a median household income of $60,361. The county’s seat and largest city is Corpus Christi.
Courts in Nueces County
Nueces County is home to a District Court, County Courts at Law, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Municipal Courts.
Nueces County is home to eight District Courts. Each court hears a wide range of cases arising from the county. Their civil jurisdiction covers claims to money, property, and other civil matters involving more than $500. There is no maximum limit to the monetary jurisdiction of the courts. The District Courts also have jurisdiction over felony cases and misdemeanors relating to official misconduct. Family and juvenile matters such as delinquency, dependency, divorce, custody, and paternity also fall within the authority of the District Courts.
The Nueces County Courts at Law shares jurisdiction with the District Courts in civil matters. Additionally, they hear civil claims that are beyond the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace Courts. Furthermore, these courts have jurisdiction over probate matters such as the administration of estates, wills, and guardianships. They also exercise criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases.
The Justice of the Peace Courts hears misdemeanor cases, which are punishable by fine only. They also hear civil matters involving claims of $10,000 or less.
Finally, cities in Nueces County have Municipal Courts that handle municipal ordinance violations, certain misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings of felony cases. The courts also have civil jurisdiction over certain matters relating to the ownership of dangerous dogs.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Nueces County
The Nueces County District Clerk maintains records of the District, County Courts at Law, and Justice of the Peace Courts. These records are digitally accessible on the Nueces County smart search and QuickLinks portals. The county also has a re:SearchTX Portal, but this portal does not contain criminal records and records of the Justice of the Peace courts. Furthermore, interested residents can obtain copies of civil case records by completing and submitting the online customer order form for civil copies. Similarly, criminal records are obtainable by faxing a completed customer order form for criminal copies to 361-888-0759. Records of Municipal Courts are accessible either on the relevant court’s website or at its courthouse.
Types of Public Court Records in Nueces County
Court records include documents and information generated in a court case, as well as, those submitted by parties to the case. Some examples are:
- Case dockets
- Filings
- Parties’ pleadings
- Exhibits
- Court judgments
Unless otherwise stated by law, court records in Nueces County are considered public.
Confidential Court Records in Nueces County
Some court records in Nueces County are not accessible to the public due to statutory limitations. Such confidential court records include:
- Family case records
- Records pertaining to minors
- Records containing sensitive information
- Records sealed by court order
Juvenile Delinquency in Nueces, TX
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Nueces 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 861 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Nueces County. Of that total, 92% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 791 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Nueces County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Nueces County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 15,207 |
| Dependency | 0 |
| Status | 8,515 |
Government of Nueces County, TX
| County Seat: | Corpus Christi |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Dillon's Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1846 |
| Total Square Miles: | 1,166 |
| 2019 Population: | 361,221 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.00 |
| County Contact: | 901 Leopard St
County Courthouse Corpus Christi , TX 78401-3606 http://www.co.nueces.tx.us |
Nueces County, TX Courts
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Nueces County District Court
Address: P O Box 2987, Corpus Christi, TX 78403
Phone: 361-888-0111