Overview of Texas Court Systems
- Author: Mike Weston
- Last Modified: March 23, 2025
Texas courts are divided into three levels: trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and the highest appellate courts.
The District Courts, County Courts, and Justice Courts fall under the trial court system and primarily handle cases at the initial level.
Most Debt Collection Lawsuits are filed in Texas Justice Courts since the amount in controversy is lower than other courts. However, some cases are sitll filed in County and District Courts.
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Table of Contents
District Courts
Role and Jurisdiction
District Courts are the primary trial courts in Texas and have general jurisdiction over most types of cases, including:
- Civil Cases: Disputes involving amounts exceeding $250,000, as well as divorce, child custody, and property cases.
- Criminal Cases: Felonies and certain serious misdemeanors.
- Special Cases: Land disputes, election contests, and certain appeals from administrative agencies.
Key Features
- Statewide Jurisdiction: While they primarily serve specific geographic areas, District Courts can hear cases from across the state under certain circumstances.
- Judges: Judges are elected for four-year terms and must be licensed attorneys with at least four years of legal experience.
- Court Structure: Some District Courts specialize in areas like family law or juvenile matters.
Example Cases
- A felony drug offense.
- A multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit.
- A contested divorce involving child custody and significant assets.
County Courts
Role and Jurisdiction
County Courts handle cases at a mid-level, bridging the gap between District and Justice Courts. They fall into three categories:
- Constitutional County Courts: Established by the Texas Constitution, there is one in each of Texas’ 254 counties.
- Statutory County Courts: Created by the legislature to assist constitutional county courts in more populated areas.
- Probate Courts: Specialized statutory courts focusing solely on probate and guardianship matters.
Key Features
- Civil Jurisdiction: Handles disputes involving amounts between $200 and $250,000, depending on the specific county court’s designation.
- Criminal Jurisdiction: Misdemeanor cases that do not require jail time of more than one year.
- Administrative Appeals: County Courts hear appeals from Justice Courts or administrative agencies.
- Judges: Constitutional County Court judges are not required to be lawyers, but statutory county court judges must be licensed attorneys.
Example Cases
- Small personal injury lawsuits.
- Misdemeanor criminal charges, such as DWI.
- Probate matters, including estate administration and guardianships.
Justice Courts
Role and Jurisdiction
Justice Courts, commonly referred to as Justice of the Peace Courts, handle small claims and minor criminal cases. They are known for their accessibility and efficiency in resolving less complex legal matters.
Key Features
- Civil Jurisdiction: Limited to disputes involving $20,000 or less.
- Criminal Jurisdiction: Minor misdemeanors and traffic violations.
- Special Cases: Evictions, landlord-tenant disputes, and small claims cases.
- Judges: Justice of the Peace judges are elected and are not required to have formal legal training.
Example Cases
- A small claims case over a $5,000 unpaid bill.
- A traffic ticket dispute.
- An eviction proceeding for non-payment of rent.
Key Differences Between District, County, and Justice Courts
Feature | District Courts | County Courts | Justice Courts |
Jurisdiction | Broad (civil, criminal, and special) | Intermediate (civil, criminal, probate) | Limited (small claims, minor cases) |
Case Types | Felonies, major civil cases | Misdemeanors, mid-level civil disputes | Small claims, evictions, traffic |
Judges | Licensed attorneys, 4+ years’ exp. | Varies; statutory court judges are lawyers | No legal training required |
Complexity | High | Moderate | Low |
Monetary Threshold | $250,000+ | $200–$250,000 | Up to $20,000 |
When to Use Each Court
- District Courts: For serious matters like felonies, high-stakes civil cases, and family law disputes.
- County Courts: For mid-range disputes, misdemeanor criminal cases, and probate matters.
- Justice Courts: For small claims, traffic violations, and straightforward landlord-tenant issues.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinctions among Texas court systems—District, County, and Justice Courts—is vital for navigating legal proceedings efficiently. Each court plays a specific role tailored to the complexity and type of case at hand. For expert guidance, consulting an attorney familiar with Texas law ensures you’re taking the right steps in the appropriate court.
Whether dealing with minor disputes or significant legal matters, the right knowledge can save time, resources, and stress.
Mike Weston is a seasoned debt lawsuit defense attorney and founder of Weston Legal. Since 2005, Mike has devoted his career to compassionately helping consumers struggling with issues involving their personal and business debts. Mike is grateful to have been able to help tens of thousands of clients become empowered with knowledge on the path to financial stability.
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