I need to print out text messages for court properly

Delete a message or conversation

When you delete a message or conversation, you can't get it back. So make sure that you save important information from your messages.

Though restore from iTunes backup is an option but you need to restore the entire iPhone (only messages restoration option does not exist) including all apps, Photos, Videos, Voice Memos, Notes on your iPhone etc...

The question is when did you backup on iTunes and when did you delete it...Read on...

Let us assume...

Date1: Backup date

Date2: Message Deletion Date

Date3: Current Date / Restoration Date

Given that --> Date1 < Date2 < Date3 

1. Risk of restoring on Date3:
   1. You may lose data between the Date1 & Date 3
   2. By default, iTunes creates incremental backup over the existing backup such that you only will have one backup per device on iTunes
   3. If you have taken another backup between Date2 and Date3, then the messages that were deleted on the device is also deleted on the backup.
   4. If point no. 3 is true the messages or lost completely.
2. Else you have a mitigation process: Create Multiple back-ups on iTunes for the same device.

How to create Multiple Backup for the same device.

1. On iTunes Click on Manage Backups
2. Right Click on a Backup and Click Archive
3. Click Backup Now.
4. You will see a fresh backup will get created See the GIF below

1. Restore from Backup dated Date1 (Archived)
2. Retrieve the message and store it separately
3. Restore from Current Backup Date3

mr1sjr wrote:

First: I need to print out current text messages (they are currently on my phone)

If you have a Mac it can be done.

• Text Message Forwarding to mac (Use Same Apple ID)
• On Mac Open iMessage > Select the Message Thread > File > Print > Save as PDF

If you’re using messages in iCloud (Use Messages in iCloud - Apple Support) then messages are not part of any iCloud nor iTunes backup file. And deletions are permanent with no means at all of recovering them.

the simplest way; screenshot them, then email them to yourself or someone, open your email and print them out.