How do you find a case in the Texas Court of Appeals?

1. How do you find a case in the Texas Court of Appeals?

2. In most cases, civil and criminal court proceedings are public record. Whether you are a defendant checking the status of your case, an attorney researching the details of a trial, or simply someone looking to browse, all the information you need is at the touch of your fingertips. On March 2, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas would reopen 100%, effective immediately. Now, as state courts start to reopen and postponed trials are finally receiving court dates, knowing how to find cases in the Texas Court of Appeals will become an ever important skill that can help you stay up to date with the details of a case.

3. The first step in searching for a case is locating the docket number that has been assigned to that case. Defendants can find this number on their case documents. Those who don’t have access to these documents can find the docket number by reaching out to the local court clerk. As long as you can provide the party’s name and the county where the case is being heard, a court clerk can quickly access the number for you. Once you have identified the correct docket number, you can use it to search for the case on the Texas Court of criminal Appeals. To complete the search, input the number into the section titled “appellate case #” at the top of the screen and press the button that says “find my case.” The website will then prompt you to fill out a page of case information, including the county, type of offense, the filing date etc., to help narrow the search.

4. After you have this completed, the site will compile a list of cases that fit the criteria. Once you find your case, you will be able to click on it and find the basic details of the case such as the parties and attorneys involved as well as any important dates related to the case. Additionally, you will have access to all court materials involved in the case, including hearings, filings, decisions etc. Although the United States Supreme Court may issue a writ of certiorari, obtaining the writ is an arduous process that requires the assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer.

5. What are some alternative ways to search for Texas appellate cases? While using a docket number is the easiest way to find a case, there are other ways to access such information. Many websites, like Findlaw or Justia, offer free, online access to all Texas Appellate Court decisions. When using these sites, a docket number is not required to locate a case. All you need are the names of the parties involved or the name of the county court.

6. You can also use case law databases to find case information. Programs like Google Scholar allow you to browse for cases by subject, location, or year. Making use of these available resources to track down cases will allow you to stay organized and well informed on the details of a case. Doing so will ease the appellate process and may help produce a more favorable outcome though there is no guarantee that this will help.