Texas Court System

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Texas Court System The Texas Court System begins at the local level with courts who have limited jurisdiction. It starts with the Municipal courts. By a general statute, the Legislature has created a municipal court in each of the incorporated cities of the State. Presently, municipal courts are operating in approximately 850 cities and towns. Metropolitan cities usually have more than one municipal court. They deal with criminal misdemeanors punishable by fine only, and no confinement. Exclusive original jurisdiction over municipal ordinance criminal cases. Limited civil jurisdiction in cases involving dangerous dogs, and Magistrate functions. Then you have Justice of the Peace Courts which the Texas Constitution provides that each county shall have, depending on the population, one to eight justice precincts. In each such precinct, depending on the population, one or more justices of the peace are to be elected. They take care of Civil actions of not more than $10,000. Small claims. Criminal misdemeanors punishable by fine only (no confinement), and Magistrate functions. County level Courts which divide into Statutory County Courts , Statutory Probate Courts, Constitutional county courts. All of these are County trial courts of limited jurisdiction. The Statutory Probate Court is limited primarily to probate matters. The Statutory County Courts deals with all civil, criminal, original and appellate actions prescribed by law for constitutional county courts. In addition, jurisdiction over civil matters up to $100,000 (some courts may have higher maximum jurisdiction amount). The Constitutional County Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions between $200 and $10,000. Probate (contested matters may be transferred to District Court). Exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanors with fines greater $500 or jail sentence. Juvenile matters. Appeals

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