Texas Court Systems
The lowest courts in Texas are the Municipal Courts and Justice Courts. These are local trial courts of limited jurisdiction. The Municipal courts are from criminal misdemeanors punishable only by fine (ie parking tickets) and have limited civil jurisdiction in cases involving dangerous drugs. Justice courts have a jurisdiction of civil actions of not more than $10,000. Justice courts also have the capacity of deciding criminal misdemeanors punishable by fine only. Justice Courts are also referred to as small claims courts.
The next level of courts are the County-Level Courts. There are three distinct types of county courts: Constitutional County Courts, County Courts at Law, and Statutory Probate Courts. Constitutional County Courts have exclusive jurisdiction in misdemeanors greater than $500 fine or jail time. They can also hear appeals de novo from the lower courts. Additionally, they may hear probate cases and have original jurisdiction in civil actions between $200 and $10,000.
County Courts at Law can hear all civil, criminal, original and appellate actions prescribed by law for constitutional county courts. In addition, they have jurisdiction over civil matters for up to $100,000. Statutory Probate Courts are primarily for probate matters.
