District courts are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction. The geographical area served by each district court is established by the specific statute creating the court.
In addition to these state courts, the Texas Constitution provides for a county court in each county, presided over by the county judge. The county judge also serves as head of the county commissioners court, the governing body of the county. To aid the constitutional county court with its judicial functions, the Legislature has established statutory county courts, generally designated as county courts at law or statutory probate courts, in the more populous counties.
The Texas Constitution also authorizes not less than one nor more than 16 justices of the peace in each county. The justice courts generally have exclusive jurisdiction with the county courts when the amount in controversy exceeds $200 but does not exceed $10,000. They also have jurisdiction in misdemeanor cases where punishment upon conviction may be by fine only.
By statute, the Legislature has created municipal courts in each incorporated city in the state. These courts have original jurisdiction over violations of municipal ordinances and concurrent jurisdiction with the justice courts over misdemeanor state law violations, limited to the geographical confines of the municipality. Municipal courts also have civil jurisdiction limited to a few specific types of cases.
You can access information about the Texas Supreme Court on the Texas Judicial Branch website. Once there, you will find information about the Texas Supreme Court, such as specific information about practicing before the Court.
You can access information about the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on the Texas Judicial Branch website. Once there, you will find information about the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, such as specific information about practicing before the Court.
Below is an example of what you would see if you clicked on Cameron County.
You can access information about the Seventh Court of Appeals on the Texas Judicial Branch website. Once there, you will find information about the Seventh Court of Appeals, ranging from the counties it serves to information for practicing before the court, such as court-specific rules and how to file a case.
By clicking on General Rules & Standards, you can find general appellate rules (such as the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Rules of Evidence) to specific local rules. Note, this page refers you to the interactive map discussed in the previous tab.
Amarillo is located in Potter and Randall County. By using the interactive map, you can access information about the district and county courts in Amarillo.
By clicking on any of the district or county court links provided through the interactive map, you will be redirected to the Potter or Randall County homepage.
From here, you can access more information about the county by going to the District Clerk page.
On the District Clerk page, you will find county-specific rules related to practicing in Potter and Randall County.
By clicking on any of the links provided by the interactive map, you will be redirected to the Judicial page for the Lubbock County website. From this website, you can access local administrative rules for the district and county courts, the local rules of procedure and decorum for the justice of the peace courts, and the rules for alternative dispute resolution in the justice of the peace courts.
