A Precinct 3 resident, Sonya Witherspoon, told the San Patricio County commissioners that she used a paid iDocket subscription to search county court case numbers and to obtain copies of records. Witherspoon said she paid more than $300 for the iDocket subscription and chips to view documents and that some emailed files were not redacted.

Witherspoon said she first consulted the county clerk about how to request documents and was told she would need case numbers. She told the court she purchased the iDocket subscription that advertised a daily search allowance but that access to county clerk images sometimes required in‑person requests. She said she went in person to obtain records and that at least one emailed file was not redacted.

She said she later reported the issue to an investigative reporter; following that contact, she said the district clerk’s office halted access to district records through iDocket. Witherspoon said she reviewed the iDocket contract signed in 2006 and consulted Texas statutes and local codes while researching records management practices. She said she found instances of sealed files being accessible and expressed concern about ongoing vendor control of county record access, noting a 2023 bankruptcy filing she found for iDocket.

What was said: Witherspoon provided the county a summary of her research and told commissioners she would post further details to a Facebook group. The resident requested the county clarify public access processes and the fees or subscriptions required to locate and obtain court records.

Why it matters: Public‑records access and redaction of sealed materials implicate county records management, vendor contracts and statutory compliance. The county did not take immediate action on the comment during the meeting; the matter may prompt follow‑up between clerk staff and commissioners to confirm contract controls and redaction procedures.

Ending: Witherspoon concluded by saying she would share more information publicly; commissioners did not provide an immediate response beyond the record of the comment.