About Andrews

Andrews is a small but resilient city located in the heart of West Texas, serving as the county seat of Andrews County. Situated on the vast Llano Estacado — the flat, elevated plateau that characterizes much of the Texas Panhandle and South Plains region — Andrews lies in a landscape defined by wide-open skies, scrubby mesquite, and the kind of horizon that seems to stretch endlessly in every direction. The city sits roughly 35 miles north of Odessa and about 90 miles west of Lubbock, placing it squarely in the culturally distinct and geographically dramatic Permian Basin area of Texas. Andrews County itself covers approximately 1,501 square miles, making it a sizable but sparsely populated stretch of West Texas terrain. With a population of approximately 19,338 residents, Andrews is a close-knit community where neighbors tend to know one another and local institutions carry real weight in everyday life. The city has the feel of a place where hard work is a deeply held value, and where community events, high school football, and church gatherings form the backbone of social life. Despite its modest size, Andrews supports a solid range of local services, schools, and businesses that give it a self-sufficient character uncommon in communities of similar scale in more urbanized parts of the country. The economy of Andrews is overwhelmingly shaped by the oil and gas industry, which has driven the fortunes of the Permian Basin for over a century. Andrews County sits atop significant petroleum reserves, and the boom-and-bust cycles of the energy sector are deeply woven into the economic fabric of the community. When oil prices rise, the local economy surges — bringing workers, investment, and tax revenue — and when prices fall, the effects are felt acutely by residents, businesses, and local government alike. Agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and some dryland farming, also plays a supporting role in the county's economic identity. This combination of extractive industry and ranching gives Andrews a distinctly West Texan economic personality that shapes the types of legal issues residents commonly encounter.

Practice Areas in Andrews

Criminal Law
Criminal Law
Charges, arrests, bail and criminal trials.
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DUI
DUI
DUI charges, licence suspension and reinstatement.
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Family Law
Family Law
Divorce, custody, property and support.
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Immigration Law
Immigration
Visas, green cards, deportation and citizenship.
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Traffic Law
Traffic Law
Traffic violations, licence matters and offences.
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Employment Law
Employment Law
Wrongful termination, discrimination, disputes.
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Courts in Andrews

Legal matters in Andrews are handled primarily through the courts located within Andrews County. The 109th District Court serves Andrews County and presides over felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and family law matters including divorce, child custody, and adoption proceedings. The Andrews County Court at Law handles misdemeanor criminal cases, probate matters, mental health hearings, and civil cases involving smaller monetary amounts. The Andrews County Justice of the Peace Court manages minor civil disputes, small claims cases, Class C misdemeanor offenses (including many traffic violations), and magistrate functions such as issuing warrants and setting bail. These courts are generally located at or near the Andrews County Courthouse at 201 North Main Street, Andrews, Texas 79714. Residents dealing with municipal ordinance violations may also appear before the Andrews Municipal Court, which handles city-level infractions within the Andrews city limits.

Federal vs State Jurisdiction in Andrews

Most legal matters that Andrews residents encounter — including traffic citations, family law disputes, criminal charges under Texas law, and contract disagreements — are handled by Texas state courts within Andrews County. However, certain matters fall under federal jurisdiction and are heard by the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, which covers a broad swath of the state including Andrews County. Federal jurisdiction typically applies to cases involving federal laws or constitutional rights, disputes between citizens of different states involving significant sums of money, bankruptcy proceedings, immigration matters, and crimes prosecuted under federal statutes such as drug trafficking across state lines or federal firearms offenses. For Andrews residents working in the oil and gas industry, federal regulatory matters involving agencies like the EPA or federal employment laws may also bring cases into federal court. Understanding whether your legal issue belongs in state or federal court is an important first step, and an experienced attorney can help determine the proper venue.

Common Legal Situations in Andrews

Given the character of Andrews and Andrews County, certain legal situations arise with particular frequency among residents. The oil and gas industry generates a steady stream of legal issues including oilfield injury claims, workers' compensation disputes, contractor and subcontractor disagreements, and mineral rights or royalty disputes — matters that are relatively uncommon in other parts of Texas but routine in the Permian Basin. Traffic and DWI offenses are a consistent source of legal need, especially given the heavy commercial truck traffic and long stretches of highway in the region. Family law matters such as divorce, child custody modifications, and child support enforcement are common throughout the county, as are probate and estate issues tied to the transfer of agricultural land and mineral interests between generations. Criminal defense needs — ranging from misdemeanor drug possession to more serious felony charges — also represent a significant portion of legal work in the area, as do employment disputes related to workplace injuries and wage issues in the energy sector.

Why Go To Court for Andrews Legal Matters

Go To Court Lawyers is a strong choice for Andrews residents seeking legal representation because of its commitment to accessibility, transparency, and experienced advocacy across a wide range of practice areas relevant to West Texas communities. The firm offers a free 24/7 legal hotline, meaning that whether you receive a citation on a Saturday night or have an urgent family law question early in the morning, you can reach a legal professional at any time without delay. Fixed-fee pricing options are coming soon, which will give Andrews residents greater certainty about legal costs — a significant benefit in a community where economic conditions can change with the price of oil. With a team of experienced attorneys familiar with Texas law and the types of legal challenges common to communities like Andrews, Go To Court Lawyers is well-positioned to provide effective, reliable representation when you need it most.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I receive a traffic ticket in Andrews, Texas?

If you receive a traffic ticket in Andrews, you generally have the option to pay the fine, take a defensive driving course (if eligible), or contest the ticket in court — typically before the Andrews County Justice of the Peace or Andrews Municipal Court depending on where the violation occurred. Fighting a ticket can be worthwhile, especially if a conviction would affect your driving record or insurance rates. Consulting with a traffic attorney before deciding how to proceed can help you understand your options and the likely outcomes.

How does the divorce process work in Andrews County?

Divorce in Andrews County is filed through the 109th District Court, and Texas law requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized. If you and your spouse agree on all terms — including property division, child custody, and support — an uncontested divorce can be relatively straightforward, though having an attorney review any agreement is strongly advisable. Contested divorces involving disputes over mineral rights, community property tied to oil and gas interests, or child custody can become significantly more complex and may require litigation.

What are my rights if I am injured on an oilfield job in Andrews County?

If you are injured while working on an oilfield in Andrews County, you may have the right to file a workers' compensation claim if your employer carries coverage, or a personal injury lawsuit if a third party's negligence contributed to your injury. Texas is unique in that employers are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance, so it's important to know your employer's coverage status as soon as possible after an injury. An experienced personal injury or workers' compensation attorney can help you navigate the claims process, preserve evidence, and ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Can I handle a criminal misdemeanor charge in Andrews without a lawyer?

While you are legally permitted to represent yourself in a misdemeanor case in Andrews County, doing so carries significant risks, including the possibility of fines, jail time, a permanent criminal record, or consequences for your employment — particularly in the licensed and regulated oil and gas industry. An attorney familiar with Texas criminal law and local court procedures can often negotiate reduced charges, deferred adjudication, or dismissals that a self-represented defendant would be unlikely to achieve on their own. Given the potential long-term consequences of even a misdemeanor conviction, seeking legal counsel is almost always the wiser course of action.

How are mineral rights and royalty disputes handled legally in Andrews County?

Mineral rights disputes in Andrews County — which can involve ownership of subsurface oil and gas, royalty payment disagreements, lease interpretation conflicts, or title issues — are typically handled in the 109th District Court or through negotiation and arbitration between the parties. Texas has a complex body of oil and gas law, and these cases often require attorneys with specific expertise in energy law as well as knowledge of how local courts and industry practices operate in the Permian Basin. If you believe you are owed unpaid royalties, have a dispute over a mineral lease, or are dealing with a title question related to inherited land, consulting with an attorney experienced in Texas oil and gas law as early as possible is strongly recommended.

Neighbouring Counties

Andrews County is bordered by Lea County (New Mexico) to the west, Gaines County to the north, Dawson County to the northeast, Martin County to the east, Midland County to the southeast, and Ector County to the south.