The Web site Texas Judiciary Online has quite bit of information helpful to lawyers who represent personal injury clients and Social Security disability claimants, including this “Description of Judiciary’s Open Records Policy/Procedures.”
Overview
The Office of Court Administration (OCA) and the Texas courts themselves are part of the judicial branch of Texas government. The Public Information Act (PIA) does not apply to either the OCA or the courts.
Access to court case records is governed by common law, statutory law and court rules. Generally, the custodian of court case records is the clerk of the court. Neither the Office of the Texas Attorney General nor the OCA can consider appeals from denials of access to court case records.
Access to judicial records (records other than court case records) is governed by Rule 12 of the Rules of Judicial Administration. The custodian of judicial records is usually the judge of the court. In the case of judicial records held by the OCA, the Administrative Director of the OCA is the custodian of the records. A request to inspect or copy a judicial record must be in writing, must include sufficient information to identify the record, and must be directed to the custodian of the record. Appeals from denials of access to judicial records are to be filed with the Administrative Director of the OCA. Appeals are decided by a committee of presiding judges who issue written opinions explaining the committee’s decision.
