Motley County Court Docket
Motley County court docket records are managed by the District Clerk in Matador, one of the smallest county seats in West Texas. Despite its small population, Motley County still processes civil, criminal, and family court cases through its district court. This page covers how to search the Motley County court docket, where to request copies of filings, and what resources are available when you need to track down a case or check on a hearing date in this rural Texas county.
Motley County Overview
Motley County District Clerk
The District Clerk in Motley County handles all district court docket records. This office serves the 110th Judicial District Court, which covers Motley County along with several other West Texas counties. Felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $200, family law disputes including divorce and custody, and juvenile matters all pass through the District Clerk. Each case gets a docket entry for every filing, hearing, order, and final judgment.
Matador is where you go for in-person access to records. The courthouse has the original case files. Staff can pull records by name or case number. Copies cost $1.00 per page for plain and $5.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified.
| Office | Motley County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 Dundee Ave., Matador, TX 79244 |
| Phone | (806) 347-2121 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
In small counties like Motley, the District Clerk and County Clerk duties are sometimes handled by the same office or in close coordination. The County Clerk manages probate, misdemeanors, and county court cases. Check with both if you are not sure which office has your records.
The Texas Judicial Branch website helps explain how the Motley County district court fits within the statewide system. The image below is the main homepage.
This page links to court directories, the Office of Court Administration, and the re:SearchTX portal for online case lookups across Texas.
Searching Court Docket Records Online
Motley County has limited local online access for court records. The best free search tool is re:SearchTX, a statewide portal run by the Office of Court Administration. It covers over 150 Texas counties. You can search by party name or case number and see basic case info like filing date, case type, parties, and status.
Because Motley County is small and rural, the volume of cases is lower than in urban counties. That can make searches easier since there are fewer results to sort through. Still, not every document shows up online. Full docket sheets and filed motions may need a direct request to the clerk. If a name search comes up empty, try variations in spelling.
For older records or cases missing from re:SearchTX, call the District Clerk directly. Staff can check internal systems that are not publicly accessible.
Note: re:SearchTX is free for basic case lookups and does not require account registration to use the search feature.
What Court Docket Records Contain
A court docket is the official timeline of every action in a case. Motley County court docket records include all felony criminal matters, civil disputes, family law proceedings, and juvenile cases heard by the district court. Each entry shows the case number, party names, type of action, and date.
Typical docket records include the original petition or indictment, responses and answers, motions and rulings, hearing dates, trial dates, judge orders, and the final judgment or disposition. Family law dockets often contain temporary orders, property inventories, and divorce decrees. Criminal dockets show arraignment dates, bond amounts, plea entries, and sentencing information. The Texas Government Code governs what courts must keep and for how long. Most felony and civil files are permanent records.
Juvenile cases and sealed proceedings are not available to the public. Contact the clerk before making a trip if you are unsure whether a record can be released.
Getting Copies of Motley County Records
In-person visits to the Matador courthouse are the most reliable way to get court docket records. Bring photo ID and a list of cases. Staff handle small copy jobs on the spot. Larger requests may take a day or so.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a letter to the District Clerk with the case name and number, along with a check or money order for copy fees. Allow extra time for processing.
Attorneys in Texas must file through the eFileTexas electronic filing system. The image below shows the login page for this mandatory portal.
The public does not file through eFileTexas, but this system is responsible for getting new attorney filings into the Motley County docket quickly.
Online access through re:SearchTX is limited to basic lookups. Full document retrieval for Motley County requires contacting the clerk directly. The Office of Court Administration continues to expand the system.
Public Records Access in Motley County
Court docket records in Motley County are public under Texas law. The Texas Public Information Act in Government Code Chapter 552 establishes that government records are open unless an exception applies. Court records have some additional rules, but the general principle of access holds.
To make a formal request, write to the District Clerk. The office must respond within ten business days. The Texas Attorney General's office provides guidance and oversight for public records compliance.
The AG's Open Records page explains the rights of the public when requesting government documents, including court filings from the Motley County District Clerk.
This resource is valuable if you run into problems getting records that should be publicly available.
Legal Resources for Motley County
Free legal resources are available even in rural areas like Motley County. TexasLawHelp has guides on family law, debt, housing, and civil matters. The Texas State Law Library provides free access to statutes, rules, and legal research tools for self-represented litigants.
The State Bar of Texas offers a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations covering the West Texas region can help income-qualifying residents with civil legal matters at no cost. Texas statutes governing court records and access are available at capitol.texas.gov.
Note: The Texas State Law Library staff can help you find the right statutes and procedural rules for your specific legal question by phone or email.
Nearby Texas Counties
Motley County is surrounded by other rural West Texas counties. Each one has its own District Clerk and court docket system. Cases involving parties across county lines can appear in multiple court systems.