Court records in Grimes County, Texas are maintained by the district clerk and the county clerk and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's offices. GrimesCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Grimes County. You can also search records through the Grimes County District Clerk's office, the County Clerk's office, the Grimes County Official Records Search portal, and the statewide County Court Records Online system.
Grimes County Court System Overview
Grimes County is served by the 12th and 506th Judicial District Courts, both of which hold proceedings at the Grimes County Justice Center. The District Clerk's office files all civil lawsuits, criminal cases, and family matters for these courts as well as the County Court at Law. Grimes County also has a County Court at Law, which handles a range of civil and criminal matters, and Justice of the Peace Courts that hear smaller civil disputes, Class C misdemeanors, and traffic cases. The county seat is Anderson, Texas, where most court proceedings take place.
Courts Serving Grimes County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 12th Judicial District Court | 270 FM 149 W, Anderson, TX 77830 | 936-873-4433 |
| 506th Judicial District Court | 270 FM 149 W, Anderson, TX 77830 | 936-873-4433 |
| Grimes County Court at Law | 270 FM 149 W, Anderson, TX 77830 | 936-873-4400 |
| Justice of the Peace Courts | Anderson, TX (see JP Court page for precinct locations) | 936-873-4400 |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) | 515 Rusk Ave, Houston, TX 77002 | 713-250-5500 |
Grimes County falls within the Southern District of Texas for federal cases, including federal bankruptcy matters heard through the Houston Division.
What Types of Cases Grimes County Courts Hear
Courts in Grimes County handle a wide range of case types across multiple levels of jurisdiction:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanor criminal cases (Classes A, B, and C)
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
- Small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, paternity
- Probate — decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile matters
- Child protective cases
- Adoption proceedings
District Court Cases in Grimes County
The 12th and 506th Judicial District Courts hear felony criminal cases, civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds the County Court at Law's jurisdictional limit, and appeals from lower courts. Felony cases typically reach the district court after indictment by a grand jury. The district judge presides over trials, sentencing, and post-conviction proceedings. All district court filings go through the District Clerk, who indexes and secures court records, collects filing fees, and manages case documents. Cases are assigned to one of the two district courts based on the court's docket and scheduling.
Magistrate Court Cases in Grimes County
In Texas, there is no standalone "magistrate court" division like some other states use. Instead, magistrate functions in Grimes County are performed by the Justice of the Peace Courts and the County Court at Law. The Justice Courts handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims cases up to $20,000. They also conduct magistrate duties such as issuing arrest and search warrants and setting bail. The County Court at Law hears Class A and B misdemeanors, civil cases within its jurisdictional range, and appeals from Justice Court. Under Texas law, small claims cases in Justice Court are limited to $20,000. These courts are open for civil, criminal, and administrative hearings.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Grimes County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protective orders, and termination of parental rights are filed through the District Clerk's office. The District Clerk handles family matters for the County Court at Law as well as the district courts. If you are inquiring about a divorce, contact the District Clerk at 936-873-4433.
Probate
Probate matters — including decedent estates, guardianships, and trust disputes — are handled through the County Clerk's office, which maintains probate records and court records dating back to 1893. The County Court at Law Judge typically presides over probate proceedings in Grimes County.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases, including delinquency proceedings and child protective matters, are heard in the district courts. Juvenile court records are confidential under Texas Family Code and are not available through public record searches.
How Cases Move Through the Grimes County 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 and probate matters begin with a petition filed through the District Clerk or County Clerk.
- Assignment to Judge: Cases are assigned to the 12th or 506th District Court, the County Court at Law, or a Justice Court depending on case type and jurisdiction.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment, where charges are read and bail is addressed. Civil cases proceed to a scheduling conference or initial hearing.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may negotiate plea agreements (criminal) or settlements (civil).
- Trial or Resolution: Cases may be resolved by plea, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing and appeals. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or appeals to a higher court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Grimes County
The district courts in Grimes County are administered under the oversight of the administrative district judge for the judicial district. Day-to-day court operations are managed by the clerks' offices and the individual judges' staff. Local rules for the 12th and 506th Judicial Districts govern case management, filing requirements, and hearing procedures; contact the District Clerk's office or check the Texas Judicial Branch website for current local rules.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most court records are generally public. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile records, and certain family law documents. You can submit an open records request through the county's online portal or by calling 936-873-4410 for assistance locating specific records.
Hearings are generally open to the public and held in person at the Grimes County Justice Center. Ask the clerk's office about any remote hearing options that may be available for specific case types.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Grimes County
- Statewide Court Records Search: The County Court Records Online portal lets you search e-filed cases and documents from 2016 through today across all 254 Texas counties.
- Official Property and Public Records: The Grimes County Official Records Search provides access to property records and other recorded documents maintained by County Clerk Barbara Kimich.
- County Clerk Records: The County Clerk's office offers online access to probate records and court records back to 1893, as well as property records back to 1854.
- Open Records Requests: Submit requests or search for records through the Grimes County Open Records portal.
- Court Records Research Guide: The Texas State Law Library court records guide explains which clerk's office holds which types of records statewide.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage records are available through the County Clerk. Divorce records are maintained by the District Clerk. You can also order vital records through the Texas DSHS online application or check the local vital records office listing for Grimes County.
- Criminal History Records: The Texas DPS Crime Records Division processes criminal background checks and maintains statewide criminal history data.
- Property Tax Information: The Texas Comptroller's Grimes County directory and the Grimes County Tax Assessor-Collector's office provide property tax details and payment options.