Court records in Midland County, Texas, are maintained by the district court clerk and county court clerk and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the clerk's office. MidlandTXCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about court cases in this county. Additional access points include the official Midland County record search portal, the PACER system for federal cases, as well as the offices of district and county courts.
Midland Court System Overview
Midland County is part of the 142nd and 238th judicial districts of the state of Texas. District Courts handle serious criminal cases and civil suits that exceed the jurisdictional limits of lower courts. The Constitutional County Court and two County Courts at Law handle less serious criminal and civil cases. Justice of the Peace Courts operate at the precinct level. Appeals from lower courts in Midland County go to the Eleventh Court of Appeals in Eastland, whose jurisdiction extends to twenty-eight counties.
Courts Serving Midland
Residents of Midland County are served by several courts of various jurisdictional levels.
State District Courts
County Courts at Law
Justice of the Peace Courts
City of Midland Municipal Court
U.S. District Court
Midland County is part of the Western District of Texas, Midland Division.
Federal Bankruptcy Court
The Bankruptcy Court of the Western District of Texas also has a Midland division, although it does not have a permanent staff.
What Types of Cases Midland Courts Hear
Midland County courts hear a wide range of cases. Below is a brief list of major categories, each described in more detail further on:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Civil suits of various scales, including small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support, paternity
- Probate, guardianship, estate management
- Juvenile and child protection cases
- Traffic violations
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
District Court Cases in Midland
The 142nd and 238th District Courts handle the most serious cases. Felony criminal cases come here after indictment by a grand jury. Civil suits with claims exceeding the jurisdictional limit of county courts also fall under these courts' jurisdiction—typically cases involving amounts from $200,000 and above, as well as disputes over real estate ownership and injunctions.
Each court is presided over by a district judge who assigns cases according to the county's internal rules. Appeals from county and justice of the peace courts also go to district courts. Post-conviction motions for felony cases are heard here.
Magistrate Court Cases in Midland
In Texas, functions that in other states are performed by magistrate courts are assigned to County Courts at Law and Justice of the Peace Courts. The two County Courts at Law in Midland handle:
- Misdemeanors of classes A and B
- Civil cases with claims generally ranging from $200 to $200,000
- Appeals from Justice of the Peace Courts
Justice of the Peace Courts (JP Courts) handle:
- Civil claims up to $20,000, including small claims up to $20,000
- Traffic violations
- Eviction cases
- Preliminary hearings and bail settings
Magistrate functions—issuing arrest warrants, setting bail—are performed by justices of the peace and county judges.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Midland
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity establishment, and protective orders are handled in district courts. If a case involves termination of parental rights, it also goes to district court. The Child Protection Court of the Permian Basin hears CPS (Child Protective Services) cases for Midland County.
Probate and Guardianship
Probate cases, wills, guardianship of incapacitated persons, and trust management are handled by the Constitutional County Court or County Courts at Law. To file a petition, contact the county court clerk.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile case records are confidential under the Texas Family Code. Juvenile delinquency cases are handled by the Midland County Juvenile Justice Department.
How Cases Move Through the Midland Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with a complaint or grand jury indictment. A civil case starts with the filing of a petition with the clerk's office.
- Judge Assignment. Cases are assigned to judges according to the court's internal rules.
- Initial Hearings. In criminal cases, this involves arraignment; in civil cases, a scheduling conference.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties file motions and conduct discovery. Plea bargaining may occur in criminal cases.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement, or plea agreement.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, appeal to the Eleventh Court of Appeals, or judgment enforcement.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Midland
Court administration in Midland County is conducted by the administrative judge of the judicial district in conjunction with the court administrator. Local rules for district courts are published on the Texas Office of Court Administration website, where the Court Activity Reporting System is also available.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, most court records are publicly accessible. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed cases, and records closed by court order. Public information requests can be submitted through the Attorney General's contact information database.
Hearings are generally open to the public. For remote participation in some hearings, contact the relevant court office—contact details are provided above.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Midland
- Official Records Search. The Official Record Search Portal allows searches for property records and other official documents in Midland County.
- Court Activity Reporting. Through the Court Activity Reporting System of the Texas Office of Court Administration, case statistics by court type can be viewed.
- Child Protection Cases. The hearing schedule is available on the Child Protection Court of the Permian Basin page.
- Criminal History. Criminal history can be checked through the Criminal History Name Search of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Additional information is provided by the Crime Records Division. The state library also offers a guide on criminal history and background checks.
- County Inmate Search. The Midland County Sheriff's website provides an inmate search by last name and a full list of detainees.
- State Offender Search. The Offender Search of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice allows finding information about offenders by name or TDCJ number.
- Offender Information. The TDCJ site provides information on inmate location, offenses, and estimated release date.
- Driver License Records. Through the Driver License Portal of the DPS, the status of a driver's license can be checked.
- Property Taxes. Property tax information is provided by the Comptroller's directory for Midland County, and vehicle registration services by the Midland County Tax Office.
- Expunction of Records. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure provides for the expunction of arrest and criminal history records.
- Federal Cases. To search for federal court cases, use the PACER system via the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas website.