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Legal Resources
The information on this page is only for informational purposes, not a substitute for an attorney or legal advice. Note that the Law Library is not responsible for any errors or omissions on these websites and provides these links as resources to assist with research or legal aid needs.
Texas State Law Library (TSLL) assists with the legal research needs of the Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Office of the Attorney General, state agencies and commissions, and the citizens of the State. It is a public Law Library that provides resources to the general public representing themselves in legal matters. The TSLL offers a variety of resources and online databases that are accessible remotely after registration. Patrons can research based on a topic or known resources and databases. Also, TSLL accepts requests for research assistance via email, phone, and chat service.
TSLL - Self-Help This link directs patrons to self-help materials
TSLL - Legal Forms This link leads patrons to the most requested forms available for download
TSLL - Research Guides by Topic This link directs patrons to self-help materials categorized by subject
TSLL - Legal Clinics This link leads patrons to information about legal clinics in Texas
TSLL - Digital Collection This link directs patrons to the digital collection of electronic books
and databases available
TSLL - Ask a Librarian This link leads patrons to the Ask A Librarian source with information to chat online, call, or send an email request
TSLL - Catalog This link leads patrons to a sublink with the catalog of the Library’s e-books and web resources
Texas Constitutions from 1824 to 1876 The University of Texas Tarlton Law Library provides digital images of eight Texas Constitution versions.
Texas Legislature Online (TLO) provides access to view the status of legislation and provides the ability to search bill text, amendment text, and bill information.
General and Special Laws of Texas are the bills passed into law by the Texas Legislature. The General and Special Laws of Texas or “Session Laws.” The webpage links the session laws from the 1st Legislature to the most recent legislative session.
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) weblink contains links to current and previous code versions. TAC is a compilation of 17 titles detailing all state agency rules in Texas.
Texas Constitution and Statutes website contains the current Texas Constitution and written laws established by the state legislature. The statutes provided in the link are current through the 87th Legislature, 2021. The Texas Constitution is current through the amendments approved by voters in May 2022. The Statutes included on this website are the following:
§ Agriculture Code
§ Alcoholic Beverage Code
§ Auxiliary Water Laws
§ Business and Commerce Code
§ Business Organizations Code
§ Civil Practice and Remedies Code
§ Code of Criminal Procedure
§ Education Code
§ Election Code
§ Estates Code
§ Family Code
§ Finance Code
§ Government Code
§ Health and Safety Code
§ Human Resources Code
§ Insurance Code
§ Insurance Code - Not Codified
§ Labor Code
§ Local Government Code
§ Natural Resources Code
§ Occupations Code
§ Parks and Wildlife Code
§ Penal Code
§ Probate Code
§ Property Code
§ Special District Local Law Code
§ Tax Code
§ Transportation Code
§ Utilities Code
§ Water Code
§ Vernon’s Civil Statutes
Texas Register is a weekly journal publishing information from rulemaking State agencies. The Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn, and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as proposal requests. After adoption, the rulemaking actions are arranged into the Texas Administrative Code.
National Archives - United States Founding Documents provides copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The site has an electronic version of the original documents and a text transcript.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The CFR consists of 50 broad subject areas.
Congress.gov provides U.S. federal legislative information, including bill text, committee reports, votes, bill process, and the Congressional Record. The Congressional Record is a daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.
United States Code provides the general and permanent laws of the United States, arranged by subject matter under 54 broad titles.
Federal Register is the daily journal of the Federal Government published by the Office of the Federal Register and the National Archives and Records Administration. The Federal Register contains federal agency regulations, proposed rules, notices of interest to the public, executive orders, proclamations, and other Presidential documents.
To view the municipal codes of ordinances, patrons must visit each City’s website for the information.
Dripping Springs Code of Ordinances
Mountain City Code of Ordinances
Texas Law Help is a website that provides access to various informational brochures, instructions, forms, and toolkits. The site offers a live chat feature to request assistance locating forms and information. Some topics, but not all, covered on the website are:
§ Divorce
§ Protective Orders
§ Name Change
§ Adult Adoption
§ Non-Disclosure
§ Occupational Driver’s License
§ Transfer on Death Deed Forms
§ Visitation Enforcement
§ Expunction
§ Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (Asking for custody, visitation, child support, or medical support)
§ Modification – Changing a family court order regarding the parent-child relationship (custody, visitation, child support, or medical support)
EFileTexas.gov – Self-Help is a free interactive guide and file website. The interactive system assists with completing legal forms to file with the Court. The site is for the general public to complete do-it-yourself legal forms. A virtual interview is conducted by asking questions about your legal issue and aiding the system in completing the corresponding forms. Once the interview and forms are complete, the system instructs and guides users in filing the documents with the local Court. Below is a detailed list of the forms provided on the website.
Texas Free Legal Answers – Legal Advice is a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state. Question topics include Family, Divorce, Custody, Housing, Eviction, Homelessness, Consumer Rights, Financial, Work, Employment, Unemployment, Health and Disability, Civil Rights, Income Maintenance, Juvenile and Education Law.
Hays County Criminal District Attorney - Documents for Download The Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office serves as the prosecutor for the State in all felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile offenses committed in Hays County. The Documents for Download link provides information regarding Hot Checks, Mental Health Commitment, and other topics.
Hays County Justice Court Forms is a webpage that provides the downloadable forms listed below. The Justice of the Peace offices preside over criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, issue warrants for search and arrest, conduct preliminary hearings, administer oaths, perform marriages, and must serve as coroner for the County. The Justice Court also functions as a small claims court in civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is not in the District or County Court, and the amount of controversy does not exceed $10,000. The Court can also deal with matters concerning the foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens on personal property.
Hays County Clerk's office includes two divisions, Records and Courts, led by the elected County Clerk. The County Clerk’s office provides several services for Hays County residents. The department maintains official public records, Commissioner’s Court archives, property deed recordings, liens, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, beer and wine license applications, Business D.B.A. or business as’ records, Military discharges, and Marks and Brands. The Court's division of the County Clerk department maintains criminal misdemeanor, civil, probate, and guardianship cases. The Court’s division functions include accepting criminal payments, original wills for filing (for probate or safekeeping), Letters of Testamentary, Administration, Guardianship, and issuing citations.
Hays County District Clerk Forms is a webpage that provides downloadable forms for matters related to the District Courts. The District Clerk’s Office is responsible for providing records of the Court's proceedings, implementing Court decisions, and administratively supporting the respective Courts and Judges. A list of forms for download is available below.
Hays County Office of General Counsel functions as Legal Counsel to the Hays County Commissioners Court, Elected Officials, and Department Heads and represents or assists in the representation of the County in civil legal matters. Those seeking information from public records may submit an Open Records Request. Both law enforcement and civil public record information are available for request.
Hays County Indigent Defense office assists with court-appointed lawyers. Forms available on the weblink include the forms listed below.
§ How to make a complaint about your lawyer
§ Certificate of Contact
§ Indigent Defense Plans for Hays County
§ Applications
Texas Attorney General provides information, procedures, and forms for the duties of the office. The Texas Attorney General is responsible for enforcing child support orders, enforcing open government laws, providing legal advice to state officials, and representing the state of Texas in court. The Texas Attorney General protects Texans against consumer fraud, waste, and abuse and safeguards the freedoms of Texans as guaranteed by the United States and Texas Constitutions.
Texas Attorney General - Child Support Division is Texas's official public child support agency. The web link provides information on applying, paying, receiving, and modifying child support.
Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Resources for the General Public is a website with informational content on various legal topics. TYLA is a State Bar of Texas department for lawyers under 36 who create and publish various pamphlets, videos, and other materials addressing legal topics for the general public. The publications discuss guardianship, divorce, probate, child protective services, domestic abuse, alcohol poisoning, education, jurors, elder care, and more.
Texas Court Help provides information and videos about navigating the Texas court system, legal procedures, finding an attorney, legal assistance, and forms.
Texas Justice Court Training Center legal department from Texas State University offers criminal and civil forms for judges, court personnel, constables, deputy constables, and self-represented litigants. A limited number of Spanish forms are also available. Below is a list of forms available for download.
Texas Judicial Branch provides comprehensive information about the Texas Judicial Branch, including the State’s court system and judicial agencies. The website includes information about Texas courts, the various levels and jurisdictions, rules, forms, organizations, publications, training, programs, services, and judicial data. The Texas Judicial Branch Rules and Forms page includes forms and information covering a range of subjects, including civil and criminal matters, family, probate, wills, and guardianship. Their information may also address clerks, appellants, jurors, and self-represented litigants.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Advanced Directives provides legal documents allowing for medical decisions regarding mental health treatment, medical treatment, and end-of-life decisions.
State Bar of Texas provides several resources for the public, including finding an attorney, informational pamphlets, sample forms, and information to file ethical or other complaints against an attorney.
State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) is a webpage that helps refer the public to attorneys throughout the State of Texas. The LRIS webpage provides resources to match individual legal needs best.
State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section focuses on matters related to Juvenile law. Resources available on the site include newsletters, case summaries, an article library, and specialization credit. Sample forms are available for download but are meant to be reviewed by an attorney for accurate completion.
Texas Advocacy Project assists the public and survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Texas with free legal services, access to the justice system, education, and prevention. The public can apply online or call 1-800-374 HOPE (4673). Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included on the site are downloadable forms for filing a Protective Order.
Texas Legal Answers is a portal to submit a question to attorneys for responses. Individuals must qualify for the free service by providing answers to the requested information. The service only provides answers to civil questions, not criminal questions.
Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas (VLS) provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals through attorney volunteers. VLS helps with civil legal matters regarding consumer transactions, employment, family, housing, landlord-tenant, bankruptcy, expunctions and non-disclosures, probate, real property, and wills cases. VLS provides weekly and monthly legal advice clinics in various cities in Central Texas. Hays County is included in the service area, with legal advice clinics in San Marcos.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) provides low-income residents in South Texas with free civil legal services. TRLA attorneys specialize in 45 civil legal practice areas: family, divorce, employment, foreclosure, bankruptcy, civil rights, and eviction.
Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas (LRS) helps match clients who need legal services with qualified lawyers to assist with legal issues. LRS can also provide information on legal procedures and local organizations that can assist with a legal matter.
Texas State University Attorney for Students provides enrolled Texas State students with legal advice on lease reviews, criminal law, family law, employment law, immigration law, consumer and civil matters, contract law, simple wills, and name and gender marker changes. The office also assists students with finding a private attorney or organization to assist with legal matters that are not a part of the office practice areas.
Hays County Bar Association is an organization that provides legal education and service to the community among practicing attorneys members in Hays County. The site provides a list of attorneys in Hays County with information about their legal practice area.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - Texas Abuse Hotline provides a secure site to report suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, adults with disabilities, or adults 65 years or older. Use the secure portal to report, or you can call 1-800-252-5400.
Texas.gov provides access to Texas resources, including, but not limited to, general interest topics, government agencies, public access to government information, and special collections such as Texas maps and photographs.
Texas Counties Deliver provides a video library that explains the function of County government, elected officials, and county departments and details the essential services delivered to Texans.
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Hays County, Texas
Main County Mailbox:
712 S. Stagecoach Trail
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Main Number: 512-393-7779
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