Burnet County Court Records
What Is Burnet County Court Records
Court records in Burnet County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records created at each stage of litigation or adjudication. A case file typically contains all documents filed by parties and the court throughout the life of a case, while a docket sheet provides a chronological index of every action taken in that matter.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in Burnet County. Property records, for example, are held by the County Appraisal District and the County Clerk's real property division, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained separately under the Texas Department of State Health Services. Court records specifically document judicial activity and are custodied by the clerk of the court in which the case was filed.
The following courts in Burnet County generate and maintain court records:
- 33rd District Court – handles felony criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters
- Burnet County Court at Law – handles misdemeanor criminal, civil, probate, and mental health matters
- Burnet County Constitutional County Court – handles probate, mental health, and Class A/B misdemeanor matters
- Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1–4) – handle small claims, Class C misdemeanors, and traffic matters
- Municipal Courts (City of Burnet, City of Marble Falls) – handle Class C misdemeanor and municipal ordinance violations
Under Texas Government Code § 552.002, "public information" includes any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business, which encompasses court records maintained by county clerks and district clerks.
Are Court Records Public In Burnet County
Most court records in Burnet County are presumptively open to the public under Texas law. The Texas Open Courts provision, codified in part through the Texas Public Information Act and reinforced by Article I, § 13 of the Texas Constitution, establishes that court proceedings and their associated records shall remain accessible to members of the public absent a specific statutory or judicial exception.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Civil case files, including petitions, answers, and supporting exhibits
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate and inventory documents
- Family law case files, with certain exceptions for sensitive matters
Certain records are restricted or sealed by operation of law or court order. Juvenile records, mental health commitment records, adoption files, and records sealed pursuant to expunction or nondisclosure orders under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01 are not available for general public inspection. Federal court records for cases filed in the Western District of Texas are governed separately by federal rules and are accessible through the PACER system rather than through county offices.
The Texas Judicial Branch provides administrative oversight of court record access policies statewide, and the local rules of the 33rd District Court of Burnet further govern procedures for filing and accessing documents within that court.
How To Find Court Records in Burnet County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Burnet County court records through in-person requests, written requests, or online portals, depending on the court and the nature of the records sought. The following steps outline the standard process:
- Identify the correct court. Determine whether the case was heard in the District Court, County Court at Law, Constitutional County Court, a Justice of the Peace Court, or a Municipal Court, as each maintains its own records.
- Contact the appropriate clerk. The Burnet County District Clerk maintains records for the 33rd District Court. The Burnet County Clerk maintains records for the County Court at Law and Constitutional County Court. Justice of the Peace clerks maintain records for their respective precincts.
- Submit a records request. Requests may be made in person at the clerk's public counter during business hours, by mail, or through available online portals. Requestors should provide the case number, party names, and approximate filing date when known.
- Pay applicable fees. Certified copies of court records are subject to statutory copy fees. Under Texas Government Code § 552.261, standard copy fees apply unless the requestor qualifies for a fee waiver.
- Receive records. In-person requests are typically fulfilled same-day for available records. Mail and online requests may require additional processing time.
Burnet County District Clerk 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5450 Burnet County District Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Burnet County Clerk 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5406 Burnet County Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
How To Look Up Court Records in Burnet County Online?
Several online portals currently provide access to Burnet County court records without requiring an in-person visit. The availability and scope of records vary by portal and court type.
- Texas Judicial Branch Case Search – The Texas Judicial Branch maintains statewide resources and links to individual court case management systems. Users may navigate to Burnet County courts through the court locator tool.
- eFileTexas – The official e-filing system for Texas courts allows registered users to file documents electronically and access case information for district and county courts. Attorneys are required to use this system; members of the public may register as non-attorney filers to view case status and documents.
- Child Protection Court Dockets – The Child Protection Court of the Hill Country serving Burnet County publishes docket information through the Texas Courts docket portal, allowing parties and the public to view scheduled hearings.
- Texas State Law Library Court Records Guide – The court records research guide maintained by the Texas State Law Library provides a comprehensive directory of online and in-person resources for locating Texas court records by county and court type.
To search online:
- Navigate to the relevant portal listed above.
- Select Burnet County from the jurisdiction or county dropdown menu.
- Enter available search criteria such as party name, case number, or filing date range.
- Review the case summary and available documents. Some portals require account registration to view full document images.
How To Search Burnet County Court Records for Free?
Texas law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public court records at no charge. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, every person is entitled to inspect public information of a governmental body. This right of inspection applies to court records held by the District Clerk and County Clerk and does not require payment of a fee, provided the requestor views records in person at the clerk's office rather than requesting copies.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection at the Burnet County District Clerk's office and County Clerk's office during regular business hours — no fee is charged for viewing records on-site
- Texas Judicial Branch case search tools — accessible at no charge through the Texas Judicial Branch website
- eFileTexas public access — basic case status information is available through eFileTexas.gov without a subscription fee
- Child Protection Court dockets — hearing schedules for the Child Protection Court of the Hill Country are publicly viewable at no cost
Fees apply when requesting certified copies, plain paper copies, or records delivered by mail. The statutory copy fee schedule is established under Texas Government Code § 552.261.
What's Included in a Burnet County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Original petition or complaint and subsequent amended pleadings
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions filed by either party and the court's rulings thereon
- Discovery-related filings (where not sealed)
- Final judgment and any post-judgment orders
- Notices of appeal
Criminal Case Records:
- Charging instrument (indictment, information, or complaint)
- Arrest and booking information incorporated into the file
- Bail and bond documents
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts (where prepared)
- Sentencing orders and conditions of supervision
Family Law Records:
- Petitions for divorce, custody, or modification
- Temporary and final orders
- Child support and visitation schedules
- Protective orders (subject to access restrictions in certain circumstances)
Probate Records:
- Application to probate a will or administer an estate
- Inventory, appraisement, and list of claims
- Orders admitting will to probate
- Final accounting and order of distribution
Justice of the Peace and Municipal Court Records:
- Citation or complaint
- Plea and judgment
- Fine payment records
- Warrant information
How Long Does Burnet County Keep Court Records?
Burnet County courts retain records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) under authority granted by Texas Local Government Code § 203.042. These schedules are mandatory for all county and district clerks.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
| Record Type | Minimum Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony criminal case files | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor criminal case files | 10 years after final disposition |
| Civil case files (general) | 10 years after final disposition |
| Probate case files | Permanent |
| Family law case files | 20 years after the child reaches age 18, or permanent for certain orders |
| Justice of the Peace civil records | 5 years |
| Justice of the Peace criminal records | 5–10 years depending on offense class |
| Municipal court records | 2–10 years depending on offense class |
| Judgment dockets | Permanent |
Records designated for permanent retention are maintained in perpetuity and may be transferred to archival storage. Members of the public seeking older records should contact the relevant clerk's office to confirm availability and storage location.
Types of Courts In Burnet County
Burnet County's court system operates within the Texas judicial hierarchy, which proceeds from municipal and justice courts at the base through district courts, then to the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, and ultimately to the Texas Supreme Court (civil/family matters) and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (criminal matters).
33rd District Court 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5435 33rd District Court – Burnet County Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Burnet County Court at Law 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5406 Burnet County Court at Law Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Burnet County Constitutional County Court 220 S. Pierce St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5406 Burnet County Judge Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 133 E. Jackson St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-5479 JP Precinct 1 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 2001 Broadway St., Marble Falls, TX 78654 (830) 693-3615 JP Precinct 2 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Llano County border area, Burnet County, TX (512) 756-5406 JP Precinct 3 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 Burnet County, TX (512) 756-5406 JP Precinct 4 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
City of Burnet Municipal Court 108 E. Jackson St., Burnet, TX 78611 (512) 756-6093 City of Burnet Municipal Court Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
City of Marble Falls Municipal Court 800 Third St., Marble Falls, TX 78654 (830) 693-3615 City of Marble Falls Municipal Court Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
What Types of Cases Do Burnet County Courts Hear?
Each court within Burnet County exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by the Texas Constitution and Texas Government Code.
33rd District Court hears felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $200 (with no upper limit), family law matters including divorce and child custody, juvenile cases, and cases involving title to land.
Burnet County Court at Law hears Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases with amounts in controversy between $200 and $200,000, probate matters, mental health commitment proceedings, and appeals from Justice of the Peace courts.
Burnet County Constitutional County Court hears probate matters, mental health cases, Class A and Class B misdemeanors, and serves as an appellate court for Justice of the Peace decisions.
Justice of the Peace Courts hear Class C misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims civil cases up to $20,000, eviction (forcible detainer) proceedings, and traffic violation matters. JP courts also conduct magistration hearings for individuals arrested within the county.
Municipal Courts (Burnet and Marble Falls) hear Class C misdemeanor violations of state law occurring within city limits, municipal ordinance violations, and certain traffic matters. These courts also conduct magistration functions for arrests made by city police.
How To Find a Court Docket In Burnet County
A court docket is the official schedule of cases and hearings set before a particular court. Members of the public may access Burnet County court dockets through the following methods:
- In-person inquiry: The District Clerk's and County Clerk's offices maintain current docket information and can provide hearing dates for specific cases upon request during public counter hours.
- Online docket search: The Texas Judicial Branch provides links to court-specific docket tools. For child protection matters, the Child Protection Court of the Hill Country docket portal lists scheduled hearings for Burnet County cases.
- eFileTexas case portal: Registered users of eFileTexas may view case activity and upcoming settings for cases filed electronically in district and county courts.
- Telephone inquiry: Each clerk's office accepts telephone inquiries regarding scheduled hearings. Requestors should have the case number or party name available when calling.
Docket information for Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts is generally available only through direct contact with the respective court clerk, as these courts do not currently participate in statewide electronic docket systems.
Which Courts in Burnet County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially recorded and preserved, whose acts and judicial proceedings are enrolled in permanent records, and which has the authority to fine or imprison for contempt. Under Texas Government Code § 30.00003 and related provisions of the Texas Constitution, courts not of record do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings, and appeals from such courts are heard as trials de novo (entirely new proceedings) in the next higher court.
In Burnet County, the following courts are currently classified as courts not of record:
- Justice of the Peace Courts (Precincts 1–4) – JP courts in Texas are not courts of record. Appeals from JP court judgments are taken to the County Court at Law or Constitutional County Court for a trial de novo.
- Municipal Courts (City of Burnet, City of Marble Falls) – Municipal courts in Texas are generally not courts of record unless the municipality has specifically established a municipal court of record by ordinance pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 30. Neither Burnet nor Marble Falls has currently established a municipal court of record.
Because these courts do not maintain verbatim transcripts, parties who wish to preserve a full record of proceedings for appellate purposes must be aware that the appeal will proceed as a new trial rather than a review of the lower court's record. The Texas State Law Library's court records guide provides additional context on the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record across Texas jurisdictions.