Court records in Kerr County, Texas, are maintained by the District Clerk and the County Clerk. To search for publicly available court case information, use the resource KerrCourt.us. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official Kerr County public records portal, directly at the District Clerk's office or through the County Clerk's office in the courthouse at 700 Main Street, Kerrville, TX.
Kerr Court System Overview
Kerr County is part of the 216th Judicial District of Texas. The District Court handles serious criminal cases and civil claims that exceed the jurisdiction of lower courts. In addition to the District Court, the county has a County Court, County Court at Law, and Justice of the Peace Courts — each with its own jurisdiction.
The Magistrate Court serves as the first point of contact for individuals detained without a warrant: the magistrate determines whether there is sufficient cause for arrest and sets bail. A complete list of courts and the schedule of sessions is available on the Kerr County Courts page.
Courts Serving Kerr
Below are the courts serving the residents of Kerr County.
216th District Court
County Court at Law
Constitutional County Court
Justice of the Peace Courts
Magistrate Court
Federal Court — Western District of Texas
Kerr County is part of the Western District of Texas (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas). Federal cases, including bankruptcy cases, are handled in the respective divisions of this court.
What Types of Cases Kerr Courts Hear
- Felonies — District Court
- Misdemeanors — County Court at Law, Constitutional County Court
- Traffic violations and minor offenses — Justice of the Peace Courts
- Civil claims of various levels — depending on the claim amount
- Small claims — Justice of the Peace Courts
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support
- Probate and guardianship cases
- Juvenile matters
- Child protection and adoption cases
District Court Cases in Kerr
The 216th District Court handles all serious criminal cases in Kerr County, as well as civil claims where the amount exceeds the jurisdiction of lower courts. Cases reach the District Court after an indictment by a grand jury or a magistrate's determination of sufficient cause. The District Court judge presides over trials, and the District Clerk indexes and maintains all case materials, collects court fees, and manages court registry funds.
Appeals from lower courts in the county also go here. After a verdict is rendered, the District Court handles post-conviction motions.
Magistrate Court Cases in Kerr
In Texas, misdemeanors and minor offenses are handled by the County Court at Law and Justice of the Peace Courts, rather than a separate magistrate division in the classical sense. The Kerr County Magistrate Court performs a specific role: determining grounds for detention, setting bail, and conducting preliminary hearings for individuals arrested without a warrant.
Justice of the Peace Courts handle civil claims up to $20,000 (including small claims up to $20,000 under Texas law), traffic violations, and issue eviction orders. The County Court at Law has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, civil cases within statutory limits, and some appeals.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Kerr
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective order cases are heard by the District Court or County Court at Law — depending on the type of case. Electronic filing in family cases is mandatory for attorneys through eFileTexas.Gov.
Probate and Guardianship
Probate, guardianship, and trust management cases are typically handled by the Constitutional County Court or County Court at Law. The County Clerk maintains the relevant records.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile cases are confidential under Texas law. These cases are heard by the District Court acting as a juvenile court. Access to materials is restricted.
How Cases Move Through the Kerr Court System
- Case Initiation: a criminal complaint, civil claim, or petition is filed with the appropriate court. Attorneys file documents through eFileTexas.
- Judge Assignment: the case is assigned to judges of the appropriate court.
- First Hearing: in criminal cases — arraignment (announcement of charges and defendant's plea); in civil cases — scheduling conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase: parties file motions, conduct discovery, negotiate plea agreements or settlements.
- Trial or Resolution: the case concludes with a jury verdict, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: sentencing, filing an appeal, or enforcing the judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Kerr
The administrative judge of the judicial district provides overall management of the courts. Local court rules for Kerr County can be found through the Texas Judicial Branch portal.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and some family cases. To obtain copies of records, contact the District Clerk or County Clerk — fees for copying and certification typically apply.
Hearings in Kerr County courts are generally open to the public. To confirm the possibility of remote participation, contact the respective court directly.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Kerr
- Public Records of the County: the Kerr County public records portal provides access to court records, land records, and sheriff's records.
- County Clerk: the Kerr County Clerk's office maintains vital records, County Court at Law records, and land records.
- District Clerk: the District Clerk's office is responsible for District Court records, fees, and passport applications.
- Tax Records: the Kerr County Tax Office property search allows you to find property tax information.
- Criminal History: the DPS Crime Records Division is the central repository of state criminal history. Additional information on criminal background checks is provided by the Texas State Law Library guide.
- Inmate Search: the TDCJ online inmate search allows you to find information on the location and offenses of inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system.
- Vital Records: birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be ordered through DSHS Order Vital Records or viewed in the marriage and divorce indexes.
- Legal Aid: individuals unable to afford an attorney can access resources from the Texas Judicial Branch legal aid or use the Texas Court Help portal for self-help forms and referrals.