Fort Bend County Law Library has a good working collection of basic legal materials, for in-library use only. Most of the library's print collection consists of reference sources on Texas statutes and case law; U.S. Supreme Court case law and federal statutes; a wide selection of Texas practice guides and forms manuals; and other research materials, including legal encyclopedias, state case-law digests, and federal practice guides.
Secondary materials are collected based upon types of cases going on in the Fort Bend County Courts and according to the Law Library Collection Development Policy. Major collections include Business and Transactional, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Family Law, Probate and Estates, Lawyering Skills, and Federal Law.
In addition to the library's print collection, a number of legal research resources are available online through the Fort Bend County Library website and on the library's research computers.
Computers for Public Use
The Fort Bend County Law Library provides public-access computers.
Computer software available on these computers include:
Internet Access
Microsoft Office 2019 & 2021
Word Perfect 2021
Adobe Acrobat XI Professional
Research Databases
WiFi Access
WiFi access is available throughout the Justice Center building, which includes the Law Library. Please see library staff for information about connecting your WiFi-enabled devices.
A/V Equipment
Clickshare and a TV for presentations is available in both the Viewing Room and Conference Room C for reservations. When booking a room, please make sure to let staff know you need the equipment. A DVD/Blu-Ray Player is available in the Viewing Room.
Printing
Printing from the public-access computers is accomplished through the use of network laser printers. Cash or check is accepted. ATM on the first floor of the Justice Center. Credit cards are not accepted.
Printer Type: 8.5x11 B&W 10¢ per page
Printer Type: 8.5x11 Color $1.00 per page
Printer Type: 8.5x14 B&W 10¢ per page
Printer Type: 8.5x14 Color $1.00 per page
Photocopying
Price (per page):
B&W Letter (8.5x11) - 10¢ (coins and $1 bills)
B&W Legal (8.5x14) - 10¢ (coins and $1 bills)
Scanning
Price (FREE)
Scan to email or USB is available on both photocopiers
Fax Machine
Send (per page)
Local: $1.00
Long distance: $2.00
International: $3.00
Receive (per page)
$1.00
Cash or check ONLY. Credit cards are not accepted.
Typewriter
Typewriter use is free at the Fort Bend County Law Library and is available on a walk-in basis.
The Law Library has three Conference Rooms available to the public for general use.
Conference Rooms A & B capacity: 4 *Cannot be reserved; they are available on a walk-in basis only.*
Conference Room C capacity: 10
Rooms can be booked for seminar viewing, depositions, or CLE (continuing legal education) purposes ONLY. They are to used for legal matters. Rooms are available between 8:00 am and 4:45 pm. Public rooms shut down 15 minutes before the library closes each day. If you need a room for any other purpose, please use Conference Room A or B or contact another branch.
In December 1989, in accordance with §323.021(a) of the Texas Local Government code, Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County ordered the establishment and maintenance of a County Law Library in the county seat of Richmond, Texas. The Commissioners Court authorized the Fort Bend County Bar Association to contract with Fort Bend County Libraries for the administrative operations of the County Law Library, effective January 1, 1990. Funding for the library's operations comes from filing fees in civil cases in the district or county courts, as provided by Texas Local Government Code §323.023.
The Law Library is governed by a Advisory Board of Directors comprised of a Law Library Committee appointed by the Fort Bend County Bar Association Executive Board and can include current officers of Fort Bend County Bar Association, Fort Bend County Criminal Attorneys Association, the County Librarian, Law Librarian, and Judges in the Fort Bend County Courts. The Committee meets on a regular basis.
From 1990 through mid 2011, the Law Library was housed on the 2nd floor of the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse. In Fall 2011, the Library opened on the 3rd floor of the new Justice Center across from the District Courts. Since late 2018, the Law Library has been housed on the 2nd Floor of the Justice Center in a new 3,000 square foot space with additional research computers, study tables, and conference rooms.
In February 2022, the Law Library was renamed the Fort Bend County Willie Melton Law Library through action by Commissioner's Court in honor of Mr. Willie Melton who was an African-American Civil Rights leader in the 1950s here in Fort Bend County. A farmer from Kendleton, he spent his life fighting against discrimination all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States abolishing the system of "White Only Primaries."
The goal of the Fort Bend County Law Library is to provide non-discriminatory support for the legal research, reference, and educational needs of all litigants, attorneys, judges, county officials, and other interested individuals in Fort Bend County. Personnel of Fort Bend County Law Library have a duty to neither engage in the unauthorized practice of law nor to solicit an attorney-client relationship. The staff does have a special duty to protect the essential confidential relationship that exists between a user and the library.
*While the instructors are attorneys, please be aware that the information provided in the videos is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your personal attorney.
*Please be aware that the information provided in the videos is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your personal attorney.
