Hale County, TX Courts and Public Records
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The district courts of Hale County hear civil, family, juvenile, and criminal cases. The District Clerk keeps district court records, and the County Clerk keeps county court records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| District Clerk | Kelly, Julie K. (District Clerk) |
| District Clerk Phone | (806) 291-5226 |
| County Clerk | Reyna, Christine (County Clerk) |
| County Clerk Phone | (806) 291-5261 |
| Handles | District court civil, family, juvenile, and criminal cases |
| County Court Records | Kept by the County Clerk |
| Online Case Search | re:SearchTX (subscription service with registration and pricing) |
How to Search Hale County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate filing dates ready before you search.
Online
Go to research.txcourts.gov and open re:SearchTX.
Review its registration and pricing before you search.
Use it to search statewide court records by name.
Best for: Statewide searches with a subscription account
In Person
Go to the District or County Clerk's office for records.
Bring the full name and case number if you have them.
Call ahead to confirm the office location before you visit.
Best for: Copies and records not available online
By Phone
Call the District Clerk at (806) 291-5226 for district court records.
Call the County Clerk at (806) 291-5261 for county court records.
Ask the clerk what details the office needs to search.
Best for: Confirming what the clerk needs before a visit
Search by Name on TXCourts.org
Go to TXCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Hale County Court Statistics (FY 2025)
Hale County's district, statutory county and constitutional county courts added 1,694 cases in FY 2025, including probate, guardianship and mental health filings. The courts disposed of 1,424 cases, and total filings fell 5.2% from FY 2024.
1,694
Total cases added in FY 2025
1,424
Total cases disposed in FY 2025
~1,694
Filings per judicial position (~1 positions)
-5.2%
Change in total filings vs FY 2024 (1,787 to 1,694)
| Metric | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 1,694 | 1,787 | -5.2% |
| Total Dispositions | 1,424 | 1,394 | +2.2% |
| Criminal Filings | 811 | 754 | +7.6% |
| Civil Filings | 218 | 262 | -16.8% |
| Family Law Filings | 328 | 367 | -10.6% |
| Probate Filings | 108 | 91 | +18.7% |
| Mental Health Filings | 205 | 292 | -29.8% |
| Juvenile Filings | 24 | 21 | +14.3% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
Mental health filings drove the change in FY 2025, falling by 87 cases.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Hale County?
This table shows Hale County's total filings and dispositions in its district, statutory county and constitutional county courts over the last five fiscal years.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2025 | 1,694 | 1,424 | -5.2% |
| FY 2024 | 1,787 | 1,394 | -3.6% |
| FY 2023 | 1,854 | 1,422 | +5.1% |
| FY 2022 | 1,764 | 1,565 | -14.7% |
| FY 2021 | 2,067 | 1,267 | +2.0% |
Total filings fell 18.0% between FY 2021 and FY 2025, from 2,067 to 1,694. The largest annual change was -14.7% in FY 2022. The latest change of -5.2% was led by mental health filings, which fell by 87 cases.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Hale County?
Criminal cases are the largest category in Hale County, at 47.9% of filings in FY 2025.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 811 | 47.9% | +7.6% |
| Civil | 218 | 12.9% | -16.8% |
| Family law | 328 | 19.4% | -10.6% |
| Probate | 108 | 6.4% | +18.7% |
| Mental health | 205 | 12.1% | -29.8% |
| Juvenile | 24 | 1.4% | +14.3% |
Probate cases grew the fastest at +18.7%, while mental health cases fell the most at -29.8%.
How Does Hale County Compare With Texas Overall?
Hale County accounted for 0.05% of the 3,129,582 cases filed in Texas district, statutory county and constitutional county courts in FY 2025.
| Metric | Hale County | Texas | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 1,694 | 3,129,582 | 0.05% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | -5.2% | +1.8% | Below state |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,694 | ~3,610 | 53% below state |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,424 | ~3,472 | 59% below state |
| Criminal share of filings | 47.9% | 42.5% | 5.4 points above state |
| Civil share of filings | 12.9% | 28.9% | 16.0 points below state |
| Family law share of filings | 19.4% | 18.9% | 0.5 points above state |
Its filings fell 5.2% while statewide filings grew 1.8%. Criminal cases make up 47.9% of its filings against 42.5% statewide, and civil cases 12.9% against 28.9%.
Hale County Crime Statistics (2025)
These are the crimes reported to the FBI in 2025 by the 4 law enforcement agencies in Hale County that reported, added together. For the agencies with both years on file, violent crimes rose 65.3% and property crimes rose 6.4% from 2024.
124
Violent crimes in Hale County, 2025
366
Property crimes in Hale County, 2025
389.7
Violent crime rate per 100K, Hale County, 2025
+16.9%
Change in total reported crimes vs 2024 (419 to 490)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 0 | 0.0 | ~0 | ~0.0% |
| Rape | 13 | 40.9 | ~8 | ~+62.5% |
| Robbery | 4 | 12.6 | ~2 | ~+100.0% |
| Aggravated assault | 107 | 336.3 | ~65 | ~+64.6% |
| Violent crimes total | 124 | 389.7 | ~75 | ~+65.3% |
| Burglary | 81 | 254.6 | ~76 | ~+6.6% |
| Larceny-theft | 257 | 807.7 | ~242 | ~+6.2% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 28 | 88.0 | ~26 | ~+7.7% |
| Property crimes total | 366 | 1,150.3 | ~344 | ~+6.4% |
Hale County's violent crime rate of 389.7 per 100K is above the Texas rate of 346.3, and its property crime rate of 1,150.3 is below the state's 1,790.2.
Hale County Courthouse Locations
Hale County court proceedings are held at the Hale County Courthouse. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hale County Courthouse | 500 Broadway, Plainview, TX 79072 | (806) 291-5201 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Hale County?
Cases in Hale County, Texas are heard by justice courts, municipal courts, the county court or a county court at law, and the district court, depending on the type of case.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Hale County Justice of the Peace Court or the city municipal court | Fine-only traffic offenses go to a justice or municipal court, depending on where the ticket was issued. |
| Parking ticket | City municipal court or the city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking citations are handled by the issuing city or agency. |
| Misdemeanor | County Court of Hale County or County Court at Law | Class A and B misdemeanors are heard here; Class C fine-only offenses go to justice or municipal court. |
| Felony | Hale County District Court | Felony cases are tried in district court after grand jury indictment. |
| DUI | County Court of Hale County or County Court at Law | DWI misdemeanors are usually heard here; felony DWI goes to district court. |
| Domestic violence | County Court of Hale County or County Court at Law, or District Court | Charges are heard as misdemeanors or felonies; protective orders are handled by district or county courts at law. |
| Civil lawsuit | County Court of Hale County at Law or District Court | The court depends on the amount in dispute; federal claims go to the U.S. District Court. |
| Small claims | Hale County Justice of the Peace Court | Justice courts hear small claims cases within their dollar limit. |
| Eviction | Hale County Justice of the Peace Court | Eviction suits are filed in the justice court for the precinct where the property is located. |
| Divorce | Hale County District Court | Family matters are heard in district court, sometimes a dedicated family district court. |
| Child custody or support | Hale County District Court | The Attorney General's Child Support Division may also be involved in support cases. |
| Probate or estate | County Court of Hale County or Probate Court | Estates are handled by the county court, a statutory probate court, or a county court at law. |
| Juvenile case | Hale County Juvenile Board and County or District Court | Juvenile matters are handled by the juvenile court designated for the county. |
| Appeal | Court of Appeals for the district covering Hale County | Appeals from trial courts go to the intermediate Court of Appeals; federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Texas trial courts include district courts, county courts, justice courts, and municipal courts. Find the court named on your notice, then contact that court's clerk to confirm.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Felony or other general matter | District Court, District Clerk | District courts hear general jurisdiction cases; call (806) 291-5226. |
| Civil lawsuit or family law matter | District Court, District Clerk | The district courts added 367 family law cases in FY 2024; call (806) 291-5226. |
| Juvenile case | District Court, District Clerk | Call (806) 291-5226 for juvenile case records. |
| County court matter | County Court, County Clerk | The County Clerk keeps county court records; call (806) 291-5261. |
| Ticket or other local matter | Justice court or municipal court | Check the court named on your citation or notice. |
Are Hale County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Hale County court records are open to the public under the Texas Public Information Act (Gov't Code ch. 552) and court public-access rules, with exceptions set by law or court order.
Public records
Most district and county court records are generally open to inspection, subject to the exceptions below.
Restricted or confidential records
Records made confidential by law or sealed by a court order are not available to the public without authorization.
Online access
re:SearchTX is a subscription service with registration and pricing. Online results may not include every document in a case.
In-person access
Visit the District Clerk's office for district court records or the County Clerk's office for county court records. Call (806) 291-5226 or (806) 291-5261 to confirm which office holds the record.
How to Search Hale County Court Records Online
Case information for Hale County courts is available through statewide and county clerk portals, but coverage differs by court and case type.
- Identify your case type (criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, or juvenile).
- Pick the official portal that covers that court and county.
- Search by party name or case number.
- Review the case details, parties, and scheduled hearings.
- Contact the clerk to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | re:SearchTX for district-level cases, or the Hale County District Clerk portal | Case index and status for many district court criminal cases, depending on county. | Statewide coverage of criminal cases is not guaranteed; some counties use their own system. Documents may require a fee or the clerk. |
| Traffic | The city municipal court or Hale County Justice of the Peace Court website | Ticket status and payment options where the court offers them. | Not part of the general statewide portal; availability depends on the court. |
| Civil | re:SearchTX or the Hale County District or County Clerk portal | Civil case index, parties, and docket entries for participating courts. | Some documents require registration, a fee, or a request to the clerk. |
| Small claims | Hale County Justice of the Peace Court | Contact the court for case status and filings. | Small claims are not generally searchable in the statewide portal. |
| Family law | re:SearchTX or the Hale County District Clerk | Family case index and status where available. | Sealed, confidential, and protected records are not public online. |
| Probate | re:SearchTX or the Hale County Clerk | Probate case index and filing information where available. | Document access varies; request copies from the clerk if not online. |
| Juvenile | Hale County Juvenile Probation Department or District Clerk | Juvenile matters are generally confidential. | Juvenile records are not available through public online search. |
Use re:SearchTX for statewide court records, and contact the clerk for records that are not available online.
- Identify whether the case was heard in a district court or a county court.
- Open research.txcourts.gov and review its registration and pricing.
- Search by party name, then review the results.
- Confirm details with the District Clerk or County Clerk, since results are not official court records.
- Ask the clerk for documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| District court records (civil, family, juvenile, criminal) | re:SearchTX | Subscription service with registration and pricing |
| County court records | County Clerk at (806) 291-5261 | Call the clerk to confirm how to search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Hale County
Each court sets its own payment options, so contact the clerk for the court that issued your citation or fine.
- By phone: Call the District Clerk at (806) 291-5226 about fines and costs in district court cases.
- By phone: Call the County Clerk at (806) 291-5261 about fines and costs in county court cases.
- In person: Visit the District or County Clerk's office to ask about payment options, and call first to confirm the location.
Parking tickets are generally handled by the agency that issued the ticket, not by the district or county clerk.
Hale County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records in Hale County?
Use re:SearchTX, a subscription service, or call the District Clerk at (806) 291-5226 or the County Clerk at (806) 291-5261.
Are Hale County court records public?
Most are generally open under the Texas Public Information Act (Gov't Code ch. 552) and court public-access rules, but some records are restricted by law or court order.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name in re:SearchTX or call the District Clerk at (806) 291-5226, since criminal cases are heard in district courts.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or paperwork for the court, then call that court's clerk to confirm the date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Check the court named on your citation, then call that court's clerk to ask about payment options.
How many cases are filed each year?
In fiscal year 2024 (September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024), district courts in Hale County added 842 cases.
What is the most common type of case?
Family law cases were the largest group, with 367 of the 842 cases added in fiscal year 2024.
Is crime in Texas rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 11.3% to 109,812 in 2025 from 123,736 in 2024, and property crimes fell 11.6% to 570,196 from 644,662, as reported to the FBI. These are Texas statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Hale County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 225 Broadway , Plainview, TX, 79072 |
| Phone Number: | 806-291-5226 |
| Fax: | 806-291-5206 |
| Website: | http://www.halecounty.org/district_offices/district_clerk.php |
Plainview Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 901 Broadway, Plainview, TX, 79072 |
| Phone Number: | (806) 296-1100 |
| Fax: | (806) 296-1178 |
| Website: | https://www.plainviewtx.org/104/Municipal-Court |
Useful Links
- Official Hale County, Texas Government Website - Discover resources for local government services including court dockets, contact information, and announcements.
- Texas Judicial Branch - Explore comprehensive information about the Texas court system, judicial procedures, and access resources for court case searches.
- Hale County District Clerk - Access court records, case information, and vital record services provided by the Hale County District Clerk's office.
- Hale County Clerk - Find resources for probate, civil, and criminal records managed by the Hale County Clerk's office.
- Texas Department of Transportation - Records and Data - View accident reports and driving records, essential for court proceedings and legal matters.
- Office of the Attorney General of Texas - Obtain legal opinions, child support enforcement resources, and consumer protection services from the Attorney General's office.
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission - Access archival records and resources that support legal research and historical inquiries.
- Office of Court Administration - Texas Courts - Provides oversight and support services for Texas courts, including training resources and judicial statistics.
- Texas Law Help - Provides free legal information and resources, facilitating self-representation in legal matters across Texas, including Hale County.
- Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service - Access criminal history and background checks vital for legal processes and court actions.
- Texas State Law Library Legal Research Guides - Extensive guides to Texas legal information aiding in finding state-specific law and case details.
- Texas State Law Library - Offers an extensive catalog of legal texts, case law, and access to free online legal resources.
- National Association for Court Management - Provides best practices and resources to court administrators and members of the judicial system.
- Legal Services Corporation - Supports legal aid organizations providing critical legal services to low-income Americans across the United States.
- Hale County Adoption Portal - Information on adoption procedures, court overviews, and FAQs in Hale County, Texas.
- Justia US Law: Texas Codes - Access the complete Texas law database including penal codes, government codes, thoroughly detailed, and searchable.
- Hale County Judge and Commissioner Court - Find meeting agendas, minutes, decisions, and other county judge and commissioner court-related details.
- Texas Secretary of State - Offers vital government resources regarding business, elections, and official state publications.
- National Center for State Courts - A national organization that provides support and resources to state courts, enhancing judicial cooperation.
- International Court Administration Professionals - Offers educational resources and networking relevant to court administration professionals worldwide.
Table of Contents
- Hale County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Hale County Court Records
- Hale County Court Statistics (FY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Hale County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Hale County?
- How Does Hale County Compare With Texas Overall?
- Hale County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Hale County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Hale County?
- Are Hale County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Hale County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Hale County
- Hale County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links