Wise County Court Records

Wise County court records are generated when legal actions occur in local districts, county, justice of the peace, and municipal courts. These records include case files, witness testimonies, evidence, dockets, and case party details. Criminal complaints, judgments, orders, and other paperwork filed with the clerk's office are also considered court records.

Members of the public rely on these files and details to stay apprised about important legal proceedings, and lawyers review case documents to prepare for lawsuits and trials. Courts also use generated and filed records to ensure efficient and transparent judicial administration. Further, certain court papers like divorce records and adoption documents are needed to facilitate applications like change of name and birth certificate orders.

Individuals can access case details and files through the county court clerk's offices or websites that facilitate record searches.

Are Court Records Public in Wise County?

Yes. Wise court records are generally considered public information per common law and rules enacted by the state's supreme court. The judiciary may not be subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA) but follows the state's policy on public transparency declared in the act. Records marked confidential and non-public by state statutes like the PIA, federal laws, and court rules are exempt from public access. The following records fall under these exemptions:

• Personal information: This includes financial records (like account and credit card numbers), personal ID data (like driver's license numbers), and medical records.
• Sealed court records: Some records that may have been sealed by court order upon the request of case parties will not be open to the public. Individuals may also successfully petition courts to seal certain Wise County criminal records.
• Juvenile criminal records: Arrests and convictions of children under 18 are only accessible by a small number of authorized parties
• Police investigations: These include Wise arrest records, evidence, tactics, confidential sources, and other information gathered during active investigations.
• Family law records: Matters like adoption, parental rights, and child support are restricted from public access to protect case parties.
• Third-party data: Information about victims and witnesses in certain sensitive cases are protected.

Wise County Court Records Search

Wise County's judiciary comprises different courts with separate powers. Individuals are advised to identify the court with jurisdiction over the case whose records they seek. The following are the different tiers of the county's court system and their jurisdictional powers:

• District: The District Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction. That means it has the authority to handle any type of case. However, it focuses on felonies, civil cases above $200, divorce matters, election contest cases, and land titles proceedings. Individuals can approach the Wise County District Clerk to copy or view case files produced in this court.
• County Courts at Law: There are two County Courts at Law in Wise County. These courts were created by Tex. Gov't Code § 25.511 law to handle class A and class B misdemeanors. They also oversee appellate proceedings of Class C misdemeanors heard in lower courts. For civil cases, local county courts at law share jurisdiction with the local district court in cases where the disputed amount is above $500 but not more than $250,000. Additionally, the court hears probate and guardianship cases. Those interested in viewing case files in person or copying documents created in these courts can contact the County Clerk.
• Justices of the Peace: Wise County is served by four justices of the peace. These courts exclusively handle civil cases where the disputed amount is $200 or less. They also handle Class C misdemeanors punishable by fine only. One can visit any Justice of the Peace location to obtain copies of case documents. Interested parties can also call these courts for inquiries about physical inspection and reproduction of court records.
• Municipal Courts: These courts have exclusive jurisdiction over city code violations and concurrent jurisdiction with justice of the peace courts on class C Misdemeanors occurring within city boundaries. Municipal courts also handle minor civil cases, such as determining damages involving dangerous dogs.

Those who do not wish to visit court locations or purchase copies of court records can view certain details online. Wise County courts (except Municipal Courts) and the Sheriff's Office maintain a joint online records portal for looking up basic court cases, jail records, and incident reports. One can search criminal, civil, family, and probate cases by case number, party or defendant name, attorney details, and filing date.

Wise County Courts

The following are the contact and address details of courts in Wise County:

Wise County 271st District Court
101 N Trinity St,
P.O. Box 308,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 627-5535
Fax: (940) 627-0705

Wise County Constitutional Court
200 N Trinity St,
P.O. Box 359,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 627-3351
Fax: (940) 627-2138

Wise County Court at Law No. 1
200 N Trinity,
P.O. Box 359,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 627-3351
Fax: (940) 627-2138

Wise County Court at Law No. 2
200 N Trinity,
P.O. Box 359,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 627-3351
Fax: (940) 627-2138

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
205 N State St,
P.O. Box 509,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 627-2694
Fax: (940) 627-5417

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
200 Rook Ramsey Dr,
P.O. Box 1534,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 626-4206
Fax: (940) 626-4243

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
125 N FM 730,
P.O. Box 86,
Boyd, TX 76023
Phone: (940) 433-2969
Fax: (940) 433-3062

Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
1007 13th St, #109,
Bridgeport, TX 76426
Phone: (940) 683-4244
Fax: (940) 683-3747

Alvord Municipal Court
P.O. Box 63,
Alvord, TX 76225
Phone: (940) 427-5916

Aurora Municipal Court
303 Derting Rd,
Rhome, TX 76078
Phone: (817) 636-2783

Boyd Municipal Court
100 E Rock Island Ave,
P.O. Box 216,
Boyd, TX 76023
Phone: (940) 433-5166
Fax: (940) 433-8241

Bridgeport Municipal Court
900 Thompson St,
Bridgeport, TX 76426
Phone: (940) 683-3420
Fax: (940) 683-3421

Chico Municipal Court
P.O. Box 37,
Chico, TX 76431
Phone: (940) 644-2435

Decatur Municipal Court
201 E Walnut St,
P.O. Box 1299,
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone: (940) 393-0220

Lake Bridgeport Municipal Court
301 S Main St,
Lake Bridgeport, TX 76426
Fax: (940) 683-2700

New Fairview Municipal Court
999 Illinois Ln,
New Fairview, TX 76078
Phone: (817) 638-5366
Fax: (817) 638-5369

Newark Municipal Court
209 Hudson St,
P.O. Box 156,
Newark, TX 76071
Phone: (817) 489-2201
Fax: (817) 489-5202

Paradise Municipal Court
P.O. Box 314,
Paradise, TX 76073
Phone: (940) 969-2114

Rhome Municipal Court
105 1st St,
P.O. Box 228,
Rhome, TX 76078
Phone: (817) 636-2333

Runaway Bay Municipal Court
101 Runaway Bay Dr,
Runaway Bay, TX 76426
Phone: (940) 575-2511

Wise County Criminal Records

Law enforcement officials collect details of arrested individuals and enter other information surrounding each arrest. These records, alongside data generated during criminal proceedings, are called Wise county criminal records.

A person can access arrest records created shortly after an arrest by contacting the involved agency. For example, most arrests within the City of Bridgeport are executed by the Bridgeport Police Department. Individuals can use the department's Public Information Request web form to order police reports detailing arrest incidents.

The Wise County Sheriff's Office also has an Open Records process available to members of the public interested in requesting incident reports. Additionally, people can contact or visit the office's detention facility to inquire about inmates awaiting their next court appearances.

The county's online records portal is another valuable resource for looking up Wise County arrest records and criminal trial information. It contains data collected and created by law enforcement, the local district court, county courts at law, and justice of the peace courts. Selecting the Jail Records option enables site users to search for inmates by name or booking number and view their charges, booking date, bond details, and photographs. Choosing the Criminal Case Records option allows searchers to see basic trial details like charges, statute, attorneys, and case events. One can also view the county's jail roster and incident reports from this online database.

Individuals who wish to see complete Wise criminal records on anyone can use using the Texas Computerised Criminal History (CCH) system. The online database is provided by the Department of Public Safety and only contains information about people who have been convicted or have reports of deferred adjudication. Using the system involves creating an account with the Texas DPS and providing the search subject's personal information to start a search.

However, only certain entities permitted by law, such as employers and licensing agencies, are permitted to use the more thorough and advanced fingerprint search method.

Get Wise County Civil Court Records

Civil court cases are initiated by organizations or individuals (called plaintiffs) seeking financial compensations or looking to enforce specific actions. These matters are brought against defendants (private or public individuals and organizations) and are filed with courts with the right jurisdiction. As mentioned, the local district court shares jurisdiction with county courts at law when the amount in contention is from $500 to $250,000. Court cases worth over $250,000 are exclusive to the district court.

Individuals can select the Civil, Family, & Probate Case Records option to search for civil cases when they visit the county's public records portal. Interested parties can also contact the County Clerk for copies of documents generated by county courts at law and the District Clerk for district court documents.

Wise County Marriage Records

Marriage records are documents that create official and verifiable accounts of various marital events in the county. These records are called vital records and include marriage licenses, indexes, and verification documents maintained by county and state officials. A Wise County marriage certificate can be used when couples file joint tax returns, open joint bank accounts, or purchase insurance.

The office of the county clerk is responsible for issuing marriage licenses to couples who intend to get married. The clerk also provides certified copies of these licenses to members of the public. Interested requesters can print and fill out the certified copy of marriage license request form, attach the $5 fee (per copy), and mail the package to:

200 North Trinity Street
Records Building
P.O. Box 359
Decatur, TX 76234

The Texas Department of State Health Services also releases Wise County marriage records to requesting parties. One can use methods provided by the department's Vital Statistics division to obtain marriage verification letters at $20 per copy or view indexes for marriages dating back to 1966. Marriage verification letters are only used to verify marriages and do not hold the same legal weight as certified copies of marriage licenses issued by the county clerk.

Wise County Divorce Records

Divorce cases, such as annulment and void marriage proceedings, are handled by the county's district court. Individuals who want to obtain certified copies of divorce decrees containing details and outcomes of these cases can approach the district clerk's office. However, one can go through the Vital Statistics division of the Texas DSHS to obtain a divorce verification. Like marriage verification letters, divorce verification documents are not as legally binding as certified decrees.

Wise County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are also part of the Wise County vital records maintained and dispensed by the county clerk and the Texas Department of Health.

Individuals can use Wise County birth records to claim insurance payments, retirement benefits, and inheritance. These documents may also help during passport and driver's license applications, parental rights proceedings, social security registration, and sports participation.

Death records are usually needed for genealogy research, estate settlement, insurance and retirement benefit claims, and investigations.

Only the following individuals can obtain a Wise County birth certificate or death record:

1. The child and parents named on the birth certificate
2. Relatives of the named child by marriage, adoption, or blood
3. Legal guardian
4. Legal representatives
5. Parties with court orders or insurance policies identifying the requester as a beneficiary

Interested parties can order these records through the county clerk's office by mail or in person. Death certificates cost $21 per copy and $4 per additional copy under the same order. Birth certificates cost $23 per copy.

The Vital Statistics division of the department issues different types of birth records namely:

• Long-form: Certified copy of the original certificate issued at birth. Also contains a history of corrections. Required for passport, citizenship, and driver's license applications. Costs $22 per copy.
• Short form: Certified abstract version of the original certificate. It contains only the current name of the child, date and place of birth, sex, and names of parents. People can use this document for insurance, employment, school, and sports purposes. Each copy costs $22.
• Heirloom: Similar to short form birth certificates but are mostly used for display purposes. Costs $60 per copy.
• Birth certificate for election identification: A free certificate that contains information about a person's birth but has an inscription that reads, "For Election Purposes Only".
• Birth verification: This document is similar to marriage and divorce verification letters. However, it does not hold the same legal weight as certified copies. It costs $22 per copy.

The department also offers certified copies of death certificates and death verification documents. These death records cost $22 per copy and $3 for each additional copy during the same purchase.

Individuals can obtain a birth or death document from the Vital Statistics unit by mail, online, and in person.

Wise County Probate Court Records

Probate court cases generally focus on settling the estates of deceased Wise County residents. These legal proceedings are heard in the county courts at law, and the county clerk's probate division maintains the records. To view and obtain records, inquirers can contact the clerk's office or use the county's online records portal.

Wise County Property Records

Property records contain real estate documents showing ownership details, transaction histories, tax information, and outstanding liens. They are critical to property sales and purchases, mortgage application processes, taxation, and property lawsuits. The county clerk is the main real estate records custodian and offers an online system for finding and viewing these records. Individuals can also visit or contact the office to order copies of land documents.

At the same time, the county's Tax Assessor/Collector's office also holds property assessments and tax records.

Wise County Court Records Online

Inquirers may also access court records through third-party sites like Texascourtrecords.us. These platforms are private businesses that aggregate public records from public bodies and provide them to members of the public through convenient search processes. However, these services are not official partners with government agencies, and their accuracy and validity may not be guaranteed.