Courts Information

Justice of the Peace Courts function at the county level and also handle Class C misdemeanors, along with civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts. They preside over cases such as small claims, evictions, truancy, and debt claims. Many county residents know them for performing weddings or handling inquests, but they remain an official part of the Texas judicial system with binding authority. Justices of the Peace are elected in partisan elections.*

Each county in Texas has a single Constitutional County Court. These courts oversee misdemeanors that carry possible jail time, certain civil cases, appeals from Municipal Courts and Justice Courts, and administrative matters involving commissioners’ courts. The constitutional county judge is elected in a partisan election and also carries executive responsibilities, which sets Texas apart from many other states.*

District Courts serve as the primary trial courts of general jurisdiction in Texas. They hear felony criminal cases, divorce proceedings, child custody cases, civil disputes without monetary limits, and major lawsuits involving property, contracts, and tort claims. These courts also hear appeals from county courts when authorized by statute. District Court judges are elected in partisan elections and must be licensed attorneys with substantial legal experience.*

Fourteen intermediate appellate courts serve the state of Texas, and review cases appealed from District Courts and many county-level courts. These Courts of Appeals do not typically review new evidence. Instead, they examine the trial record to determine whether legal errors occurred. Panels of three justices review each appeal, although courts may hear cases en banc in certain situations. Justices on the Courts of Appeals are elected in partisan elections within their respective regions and must meet the same professional requirements as District Court judges.*