Search Moore County Court Docket

Moore County court docket records are filed and maintained at the District Clerk's office in Dumas, the county seat in the Texas Panhandle. The district court handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, and juvenile matters. If you want to look up a case, check a hearing date, or get copies of court filings, this page covers the search tools, contact details, and access methods you need to get the right records from the Moore County court docket.

Moore County District Clerk Office

The District Clerk in Moore County is responsible for all district court docket records. This office processes filings for the 69th Judicial District Court, which serves Moore County along with several other Panhandle counties. Every civil suit, felony case, family law dispute, and juvenile proceeding passes through this office. The clerk records each motion filed, hearing scheduled, order issued, and disposition entered, creating a complete case history from start to finish.

Dumas is where you go for in-person access. The courthouse there holds all original case files. If you need certified copies of docket entries or court orders, the District Clerk is the place to start. Staff can search by name or case number and pull the records you need. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Plain copies are $1.00 per page.

The County Clerk in Moore County handles probate, misdemeanor, and county court matters. That office is also in the courthouse. For felony cases and civil lawsuits above $200, the District Clerk is your first stop.

Searching Court Docket Records Online

Moore County has limited local online access for court records. The best free tool is re:SearchTX, run by the Texas Office of Court Administration. This statewide portal covers over 150 counties and lets you search by party name or case number. Results show filing date, case type, parties, and current status. It is the fastest way to do a preliminary lookup on a Moore County case.

Not every document shows up in re:SearchTX. Full docket sheets, motions, and exhibits often need a direct request to the clerk. Try different name spellings if your first search does not return results. Data entry mistakes happen in any system. A case number search is always more precise.

For cases not in re:SearchTX or older records, call the District Clerk. Staff can run searches on internal systems that the public cannot access online. Mail requests are accepted too.

The Texas Judicial Branch website is a helpful starting point for understanding how Moore County's court fits the statewide structure. The image below shows the main homepage.

This page connects you to court directories, the Office of Court Administration, and the re:SearchTX portal, all useful for tracking Moore County case info.

What Moore County Court Docket Records Show

A court docket is the official record of every action taken in a case. Moore County court docket records include felony criminal matters, civil disputes, family law cases such as divorce and custody, and juvenile proceedings. Each docket entry lists the case number, parties, action type, and date.

Inside a typical docket you will find the original petition or indictment, responses from opposing parties, all motions and their rulings, hearing and trial dates, judge orders, and the final judgment. Family law dockets often show temporary orders, property inventories, and divorce decrees. Criminal dockets include arraignments, bond settings, plea entries, and sentencing information. The Texas Government Code sets rules for record keeping and retention. Felony and civil case files are permanent records in most cases.

Certain records are restricted. Juvenile cases and sealed proceedings are not open to the public. Call the clerk if you are unsure about a specific record before visiting.

Getting Copies of Court Docket Records

You can get Moore County court docket records three ways. In person at the courthouse in Dumas is the most direct. Bring photo ID and a list of cases you want. Staff can make copies on the spot for smaller requests. Bigger orders may take a day.

By mail, send a written request to the District Clerk with the case name and number. Include a check or money order for copy fees. Response times depend on staff workload. The clerk may contact you if the total cost is unclear before they fill the order.

Attorneys file new cases through the eFileTexas system. The image below shows the eFileTexas login page, which is the mandatory electronic filing portal for Texas courts.

The public cannot file through eFileTexas, but this system explains why new filings appear quickly in the Moore County docket after attorneys submit them.

Online access through re:SearchTX handles basic lookups. Full document retrieval is more limited for Moore County since the local portal does not offer expanded features. The Office of Court Administration continues to add counties and expand coverage, so it is worth checking for updates.

Texas Open Records and Court Docket Access

Court docket records in Moore County are public records under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act in Government Code Chapter 552 creates a strong presumption that government records are open. Court records fall under their own set of rules, but the general principle of public access applies.

To make a formal records request, send a written request to the District Clerk. The office must respond within ten business days. The Texas Attorney General's office oversees compliance and publishes guidance for requesters.

The Texas AG Open Records page shown below explains the rights of the public when requesting government documents, including court filings from the Moore County District Clerk.

Knowing your rights under this law helps if you face difficulty getting records that should be publicly available from the Moore County courthouse.

Legal Resources for Moore County

Free legal help is available for Moore County residents. TexasLawHelp offers guides on family law, debt, housing, and other civil matters. The Texas State Law Library gives free access to statutes, court rules, and legal research databases for anyone representing themselves.

The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service for the Panhandle region. Legal aid organizations in the area also help income-qualifying residents with civil legal matters at no cost. The Texas Legislature Online at capitol.texas.gov lets you look up the statutes that govern court records and public access in Texas.

Nearby Texas Counties

Moore County sits in the Texas Panhandle and borders several counties, each with its own District Clerk maintaining court docket records. Cases that cross county lines may appear in more than one court system.