Potter County, Texas State Court Records
Potter County court records means a compendium of case documents issued or filed in a judicial action or proceeding. These documents become court records when they are retained and subsequently preserved by court clerks for future reference. Potter County court records are maintained by the different clerks of court depending on where the case was filed, which could be the District Courts, County Courts, Justice Courts, and the municipal courts.
Criminal, civil, and family law cases are often filed in the District Court, and the District Clerk maintains case files on behalf of the District Court. A case file often includes exhibits, dockets, filings, court orders, decrees, judgements, and other relevant legal documents.
A court record is typically not a stand alone record. Litigants to a legal proceeding sometimes tender vital records (birth, death, or marriage certificate) as exhibits in an active legal proceeding to prove the validity of a marriage, citizenship, or legal entitlement. Additionally, if a person was arrested and charged for a crime, their criminal record will typically be a combination of their arrest report and their criminal court record, showing the sequence of contact with the justice system from the moment of arrest to charges and the case's final outcome.
Are Potter County Court Records Public?
Court records in Potter County are presumed to be open to the general public and a person may not be denied access to a specific court file unless a statute specifically permits it. Access to Potter County court records is governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rules. This law stipulates a range of circumstances when documents filed or issued in connection with a judicial action may be unavailable for public inspection and copying.
Potter County court records may be sealed when a specific serious or substantial interest clearly outweighs the need for the record to be open or any negative impact that sealing will have on the general public.
Courts are encouraged to seal records only when there's no less restrictive means to protect the directive interest asserted.
What Information is Available in Potter County Court Records?
The content of a Potter County court record typically varies by case type and the specific events that occurred in the judicial proceeding. However, some details are constant and are typically public-facing:
Criminal Cases
For criminal cases they include:
- The name of the parties: "the State of Texas v the Defendant
- Case number
- Arrest information
- The case type: criminal
- The charges
- The sentence
- The judgment
- Court of Appeal information (if any)
- Event type and the specific documents filed
Civil Cases
- The names of the litigating parties
- Case number
- Case type
- The date the case was filed
- Court information: the name of the court, court case number, name of the judge
- Judgment
Potter County Court Records Search
Potter County court records can be accessed through a variety of court designated avenues. These include the court online portal and in person at the clerk of court's office.
Online Access
When searching for court records, conducting an online search has become increasingly common. In recognition of this, the County and the District Clerk's of Potter County, Texas, provides court information through the Tyler Odyssey Portal. This portal allows users to search for court records by case number or by party name. Those who prefer to search by party name are required to enter the Last name, First name. Users may also search for court records by a party's last name and first initial and an asterisk (i.e., Smith, J*).
Mail and Phone Requests
For further inquiries, individuals can email the District Clerk at Portal@mypottercounty.com. All questions will be answered within 24 hours of request.
In-Person Access
If an individual wishes to inspect or copy the original files, they can visit the the Potter County District Clerk in person at:
Physical Address:
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 1B
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Email:
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9570
Amarillo, TX 79105
Fees for Court Records in Potter County
Searchers can view the full fee schedule documents and details via the Potter County District Clerk Fee Schedules. According to the fee schedule, the following fees apply to record searches and copies:
- Record search: (each party, each case): $5.00
- Copies (per page): $1.00
- Certification and seal fee: $5.00
- Electronic copy pages 1-10: $1.00
- Electronic copy after the 10th page (per page): $0.10
- Electronic certification and seal fee: $5.00
Potter County Courthouse Locations
Potter County courthouses are located at the following addresses:
Potter County
Physical address:
500 S. Fillmore, Suite 405
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2375
Fax: (806) 379-2225
47th District Court
Physical Address:
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 3A
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2350
108th District Court
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 4B
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2355
181st District Court Locations
Potter County Courts Building
350 SE 6th Ave, Suite 5B, Amarillo, TX 79101
251st District Court
Physical Address:
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 5B
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2365
320th District Court
Physical Address:
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 4A
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2370
Fax: (806) 379-6248
County Court at Law #1
Potter County Courthouse
500 S. Fillmore
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2246
County Court at Law #2
Physical address:
500 S. Fillmore, Suite 402
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: (806) 379-2380
Fax: (806) 379-2222
Criminal Records Access in Potter County
Criminal records in Texas are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS maintains Texas' central repository of criminal history record information reported by criminal justice agencies. Criminal records are public information in Texas. Therefore, anyone can access specific information, but subject to certain restrictions that enable some criminal records to be sealed or expunged, depending on the circumstances.
If an individual wishes to conduct a name-based search on someone other than themselves, they can do this online by visiting the Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Conviction Name Search. Records are only public if a conviction or criminal or deferred adjudication has been reported to the Department on the offense.
That said, the Potter County Sheriff's Office still continues to maintain local arrest logs, active arrest warrants, and incarceration data. These records can be accessed at the main office or by searching the public records via the Sheriff's official website.
Records Division
13103 NE 29th Ave,
Amarillo, TX
(Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
https://www.dps.texas.gov/home-page
County and the District Clerk's of Potter County, Texas, also provide case information through the Tyler Odyssey Portal or in person at:
Physical Address:
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 1B
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Email:
Potter County Probate Records
Under the Texas Constitution, probate matters are presided over either by the constitutional county court or the District court. In Potter County specifically, probate and estate matters are handled by the Potter County Court (the constitutional county court), while specialized or contested cases may fall under the District Court's jurisdiction. The content of a Potter County Probate Court Record typically includes:
- The administration of estates of deceased persons
- Will contests
- Guardianship of minors or incarcerated persons,
- and mental illness matters
All probate filings and records are managed by the Potter County Clerk. While these records are generally open to public inspection, specific records may be withheld under the guidelines set out by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Potter County Family Court Records
Family court records are official, documented files generated during legal proceedings related to domestic and familial matters. They include legal petitions, financial affidavits, custody agreements, transcripts, and final judgments for cases like divorce, child support, adoption, and domestic abuse. The District Clerk doubles as the Clerk of the court in all civil and family cases for the County Courts at law.
Subject to the statutory exemptions provided under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the District Clerk's of Potter County provides court information through the Tyler Odyssey Portal. Record searches on this portal can typically be conducted by case number or a party's name.
If an individual wishes to inspect or obtain verified copies, they can visit the the Potter County District Clerk in person at:
Physical Address:
350 SE 6th Ave., Suite 1B
Amarillo, Texas 79101
Email:
Federal Court Records in Potter County
Federal court records are official, documented files generated during legal proceedings instituted in a federal court. There are a wide range of matters that could be instituted in a federal court. These include bankruptcies, terrorism, disputes between states, and cases relating to matters that are within federal jurisdiction.
To access federal court records in Potter County, use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Potter County falls under the jurisdiction of the Texas Northern District Court.
