Court records in Bastrop County, Texas, are maintained by the district clerk and the county clerk and can be accessed through online search tools, official court portals, and the clerk's offices. BastropCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Bastrop County. You can also search records directly through the Bastrop County Case Records Search portal, contact the District Clerk's office, or visit the County Clerk's office for additional government records.
Bastrop Court System Overview
Bastrop County is part of the 21st Judicial District of Texas, which also includes Burleson, Lee, and Washington counties. The district court handles felony criminal matters and civil cases above the county court's jurisdictional limits. Bastrop County also has a County Court at Law, which hears misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes within its statutory jurisdiction, and probate matters. The County Judge presides over the constitutional county court, while a separate judge presides over the County Court at Law. Justice of the Peace courts operate across the county's precincts, handling small claims, evictions, and Class C misdemeanors. The main courthouse is located in the city of Bastrop.
Courts Serving Bastrop
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 21st Judicial District Court | 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 | (512) 332-7244 |
| Bastrop County Court at Law | 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 | (512) 332-7244 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | 804 Pecan Street, Bastrop, TX 78602 | (512) 332-7256 |
| Elgin Municipal Court | 310 N. Main Street, Elgin, TX 78621 | (512) 281-5724 |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (Austin Division) | 501 W. 5th Street, Austin, TX 78701 | (512) 916-5896 |
Bastrop County falls within the Western District of Texas for federal cases. Federal bankruptcy matters are also handled through the Western District's Austin Division.
What Types of Cases Bastrop Courts Hear
Courts serving Bastrop County residents handle a broad range of case types across multiple levels of jurisdiction:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors (Classes A, B, and C), and infractions
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and debt collection
- Family Law: Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, paternity, and termination of parental rights
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings and child protective cases
- Traffic: Citations, traffic violations, and related offenses
The sections below explain which court handles each type and how cases progress through the system.
District Court Cases in Bastrop
The 21st Judicial District Court in Bastrop County hears all felony criminal cases, from state jail felonies through first-degree offenses. Felony cases typically begin with an arrest and are presented to a grand jury for indictment before proceeding to the district court. The district court also handles civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds the County Court at Law's jurisdictional limit, as well as appeals from lower courts. A district judge presides over these matters, and cases are assigned based on the court's docket. Post-conviction proceedings, including motions for new trial and habeas corpus petitions, are also filed in district court.
Magistrate Court Cases in Bastrop
In Bastrop County, the County Court at Law handles Class A and Class B misdemeanors, while Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts adjudicate Class C misdemeanors and fine-only offenses, including most traffic violations. The Elgin Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors occurring within city limits. Justice of the Peace courts hear small claims cases up to $20,000, forcible entry and detainer (eviction) suits, and conduct magistrate duties such as setting bail and issuing arrest and search warrants. The County Court at Law handles civil cases with amounts in controversy between $200 and $250,000, as well as probate matters, appeals from JP courts, and misdemeanor criminal cases. All magistrates in Bastrop County may also conduct felony preliminary hearings and arraignments.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Bastrop
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights cases are filed with the Bastrop District Clerk. Most contested family law matters are heard in the district court, though the County Court at Law may also have concurrent jurisdiction over certain family law proceedings. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division can assist with establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders.
Probate
Probate cases in Bastrop County — including decedent estates, guardianships, and mental health matters — are handled through the County Court at Law. The County Clerk's office serves as clerk of the probate court and maintains probate records.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases, including delinquency proceedings and cases involving the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, are heard in the district court or the court designated to handle juvenile matters. Juvenile records are confidential under Texas Family Code and are not available through public search portals.
How Cases Move Through the Bastrop Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or complaint. Civil cases start when a petition or complaint is filed with the appropriate clerk. Family law cases require a petition filed with the District Clerk.
- Assignment: Cases are assigned to a judge based on case type — felonies go to the district court, misdemeanors to the County Court at Law, and small claims or Class C offenses to the Justice of the Peace.
- Initial Hearing: In criminal cases, the defendant is arraigned and bail is set. Civil and family cases typically have an initial scheduling conference or status hearing.
- Pre-Trial Phase: This includes discovery, motions, plea negotiations in criminal cases, and mediation or settlement discussions in civil matters.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases resolve by plea agreement, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation, or appeal. Civil judgments may lead to enforcement actions or appellate review. Appeals from JP and municipal courts go to the County Court at Law for a trial de novo.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Bastrop
The 21st Judicial District Court is administered under the direction of the presiding judge. Day-to-day operations at the county level are coordinated through the District Clerk's office and the County Clerk's office. Local rules for courts in Bastrop County can be found through the Texas Judicial Branch website, which publishes local rules for each judicial district.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most court records are generally open to the public. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile records, records subject to orders of nondisclosure, and certain family law filings involving minors. You can search publicly available case information through the Bastrop County Case Records Search portal online.
Hearings in Bastrop County courts are generally open to the public and can be attended in person at the courthouse. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely by video or telephone at the court's discretion — contact the clerk's office for specific hearing procedures. For questions about court administration or public access:
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Bastrop
- Case Records Search: Use the Bastrop County Case Records Search to look up civil, criminal, family, and probate case information online.
- District Clerk: The Bastrop District Clerk's office maintains records for district court and County Court at Law cases. You can request certified copies and pay court costs or filing fees through this office.
- County Clerk — Public Records: The Bastrop County Clerk maintains official public records including land records, liens, and vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates).
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage records can be obtained locally through the County Clerk or ordered online through the Texas Vital Records online application. The Texas DSHS Marriage and Divorce Records page provides verification letters for marriages and divorces recorded with the state.
- Inmate Information: Search for individuals incarcerated in the Texas state prison system through the TDCJ Inmate Information Search.
- Criminal History Records: The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains criminal history information and processes background check requests.
- Expunction and Nondisclosure: If you need to seal or expunge a criminal record, the Texas State Law Library's expunction and nondisclosure guide provides forms, instructions, and frequently asked questions.
- Sheriff's Office: The Bastrop County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement services countywide and may be contacted for active warrant or incident report inquiries.
- Property Records and GIS: The Bastrop County GIS Portal provides property boundary and mapping information. Property tax records are available through the Bastrop County Tax Assessor-Collector.
- General County Information: Visit the Bastrop County website for a directory of all county officials and departments.