Court records in Hood County, Texas, are maintained by the County Clerk and the District Clerk and can be accessed through online portals, the clerks' offices, and other government resources. HoodCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Hood County. You can also search records directly through the County Clerk's online court records portal, the District Clerk's records portal, or by visiting the clerk's office in person at the Hood County Courthouse in Granbury.
Hood County Court System Overview
Hood County is served by the 355th Judicial District Court, which covers Hood County exclusively. The county seat is Granbury, where all court proceedings take place at the Hood County Courthouse. In addition to the district court, Hood County has a County Court that handles a range of criminal, civil, and probate matters. Justices of the peace preside over smaller civil disputes, criminal matters, and traffic cases in the precinct courts.
Hood County Courthouse
Contact the County Clerk's office or the District Clerk's office for specific hours and department information.
Courts Serving Hood County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 355th District Court | 100 E. Pearl St., Granbury, TX 76048 | (817) 579-3233 |
| Hood County Court (County Judge) | 100 E. Pearl St., Granbury, TX 76048 | (817) 579-3222 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 | 100 E. Pearl St., Granbury, TX 76048 | (817) 579-3225 |
| Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 | 100 E. Pearl St., Granbury, TX 76048 | (817) 579-3227 |
| City of Granbury Municipal Court | 116 W. Bridge St., Granbury, TX 76048 | (817) 573-1114 |
| U.S. District Court – Northern District of Texas (Fort Worth Division) | 501 W. 10th St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 | (817) 850-6600 |
What Types of Cases Hood County Courts Hear
Hood County courts handle a wide range of case types across their jurisdictions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, and Class C misdemeanors (infractions)
- Civil: Lawsuits of varying dollar amounts, small claims, evictions, and debt cases
- Family law: Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders, paternity, and adoption
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, mental health proceedings
- Juvenile: Delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Traffic: Moving violations, CDL violations, and related offenses
District Court Cases in Hood County
The 355th District Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds the county court's jurisdictional limit, divorce and family law matters, and juvenile cases. Felony cases typically begin with an arrest and an initial appearance before a magistrate, then proceed to the district court after indictment by a grand jury. Civil and family cases are initiated by filing a petition with the District Clerk. The district judge presides over trials, motions, and post-judgment matters. E-filing is mandatory for civil and family case documents, and subsequent criminal filings must also be e-filed.
Magistrate Court Cases in Hood County
In Hood County, the County Court and Justice of the Peace courts handle matters that would fall under magistrate-level jurisdiction in other states. The County Court hears Class A and Class B misdemeanors, civil cases where the amount in controversy is between $200 and $200,000, probate matters, and appeals from justice courts. Justice of the Peace courts handle Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims cases up to $20,000, evictions, and debt claims. Justices of the peace also serve as magistrates for setting bail and issuing warrants. The County Clerk's court records page provides information on criminal and civil records maintained at the county court level.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Hood County
Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, paternity, and termination of parental rights are handled by the 355th District Court. Petitions are filed with the District Clerk, and e-filing is required.
Probate: The Hood County Court has jurisdiction over probate matters including decedent estates, guardianships, and mental health proceedings. The County Clerk maintains probate records and can provide information on pending and closed cases. Note that guardianship cases may have specific requirements — contact the County Clerk at (817) 579-3222 for details.
Juvenile: Juvenile cases, including delinquency proceedings and Child Protective Services matters, are heard in the 355th District Court. Juvenile records are confidential under Texas law and are not available through public record portals. The Hood County Crime Victim Liaison can assist victims involved in juvenile or criminal cases.
How Cases Move Through the Hood County Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or complaint. Civil and family cases start when a petition or complaint is filed with the appropriate clerk.
- Assignment: Cases are assigned to a judge based on case type — felonies and family matters go to the 355th District Court; misdemeanors and probate go to the County Court; minor offenses and small claims go to a Justice of the Peace.
- Initial Hearing: In criminal cases, the defendant appears for arraignment and bail setting. In civil cases, a scheduling conference or initial hearing sets deadlines.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may negotiate plea agreements (criminal) or settlements (civil).
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to trial before a judge or jury, or are resolved through a plea, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from the County Court or Justice Court go to the County Court or District Court, respectively. Appeals from the District Court go to the appellate courts.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Hood County
The 355th District Court judge oversees district-level court administration in Hood County. The County Judge presides over the County Court and also serves as the head of the Commissioners Court for county governance.
Public access to records in Hood County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). Most court records are generally public, though certain records — including juvenile files, sealed cases, and some family law documents — are restricted by law. You can submit an open records request to the Hood County Sheriff's Office or contact the relevant clerk's office for court-specific records.
Attending hearings: Court proceedings in Hood County are generally open to the public. Contact the appropriate clerk's office to confirm hearing dates and whether remote attendance options are available for a specific case.
E-filing: Hood County requires electronic filing for civil, family, and subsequent criminal filings in the District Court.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Hood County
- County Clerk Online Court Records: Search county-level criminal, civil, and probate case records through the County Clerk's online records portal.
- District Clerk Records Portal: Access district-level case records including felony, family, and civil filings through the District Clerk's records portal.
- Public Records and Deed Records: Property instruments, deed records, and other recorded documents are available through the County Clerk's public records page.
- Criminal History Search: The Texas Department of Public Safety offers a statewide criminal history name search for background check purposes.
- Crime Records Services: For fingerprint-based background checks or certified criminal history information, visit the DPS Crime Records Services page.
- TDCJ Inmate Search: Look up individuals incarcerated in the Texas state prison system through the TDCJ offender information search.
- Hood County Jail Information: View current bonds and jail information through the Hood County Sheriff's bond listing or the jail information page.
- Marriage and Divorce Records: The Hood County Clerk issues marriage licenses. Statewide marriage and divorce verifications can be ordered through Texas DSHS Vital Statistics.
- Victim Assistance: The Hood County Crime Victim Liaison provides support and information for crime victims navigating the court process.