Harris County Court

County Resources

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Harris County Court Information

There are multiple locations where cases are heard in Harris County, TX.

Harris County Civil Courthouse
201 Caroline
Houston TX 77002

Harris County Criminal Justice Center
1201 Franklin
Houston TX 77002

Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress
Houston TX 77002

Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse
(Central Municipal Courts Building)
1400 Lubbock
Houston, TX 77002

District Clerk

This office is responsible for keeping records of the District Court proceedings, putting District Court decisions into place, and providing administrative support to the court. This is an elected position, with a term lasting 4 years. The District Clerk also collects all filing fees, coordinates jury selection, and processes passports.

Marilyn Burgess
District Clerk
201 Caroline, Suite 420
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 927-5800

Municipal Court

Municipal Courts have original jurisdiction over ordinance violations and minor misdemeanors committed in city limits, where the maximum penalty is a fine. Municipal judges can issue search and arrest warrants and have limited jurisdiction in civil cases that involve owners of dangerous dogs.

District Court

District Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction, and each county must be served by at least one District Court. District Court has original jurisdiction in divorce cases, felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $200, cases contesting elections, juvenile matters and family law, and land disputes.

Constitutional County Courts

Each county has a county judge, although in counties with bigger populations, the county judge may only handle the administration of county government. Constitutional County Courts have jurisdiction over criminal cases involving Classes A and B misdemeanors, more serious minor offenses.

Constitutional County Courts have jurisdiction over civil cases involving between $200 and $20,000. They also have jurisdiction over probate, mental health, and guardianship cases. They have exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases that carry fines of more than $500 or a jail sentence.

The constitutional county courts have original jurisdiction over all criminal cases involving Class A and Class B misdemeanors, which are the more serious minor offenses. These courts usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts, except in counties where county courts at law have been established.

County Courts at Law

For more populous counties, County Courts at Law may be created in addition to Constitutional County Courts. These courts are created by the state legislature, which also creates their jurisdiction. For some of these courts, their jurisdiction may be concurrent with the jurisdiction of county and district courts. County Courts at Law have jurisdiction over civil cases involving between $200 and $250,000, although some courts may have higher limits.

Statutory Probate Courts

In the counties with bigger populations, the state legislature has authorized special probate courts to hear probate matters exclusively. These courts have jurisdiction over county probate cases, guardianship matters, and mental health cases.

Justice Courts

Each county must have between 1 and 8 Justice of the Peace precincts, dependent on the population of the county. These courts have jurisdiction over minor misdemeanor cases and minor civil matters. A Justice of the Peace can issue search and arrest warrants and may serve as coroner in counties where there is no medical examiner. They also can hear small claims cases up to $20,000 and eviction cases.

Criminal Court

There are 26 district courts that handle felony criminal cases in Harris County, and there are 16 county criminal courts that handle misdemeanor criminal matters.

Civil Court

Civil cases are those that are not criminal in nature and usually involve a financial or property dispute between two parties.

District Court hears civil cases involving more than $200. Constitutional County Court can hear cases involving more than $200 up to $20,000. County Courts at Law hears civil cases between $200 and $250,000. Justice Courts can hear cases involving $20,000 or less.

Veterans Court

Veterans Treatment Court is a specialized court that addresses the needs of veterans and active duty members who are first-time offenders. This program is at least 18 months long and is for those charged with misdemeanors and felonies. Veterans with either a mental health condition or substance abuse problem may be eligible. Upon completion of the program, the case may be dismissed.

During the program, the offender must not commit a criminal offense and must not consume alcohol or non-prescribed controlled drugs. They must submit to drug testing, take all psychiatric medications as prescribed, and keep all appointments, including compliance hearings.

Felony Mental Health Court

Felony Mental Health Court is a treatment court for individuals with mental health conditions and/or developmental disabilities who have been charged with felony crimes. The program lasts at least 18 months, and the offender must attend all treatment appointments and compliance hearings and participate fully in the treatment plan.

Individuals who have a primary diagnosis of substance abuse are not eligible for this program. Neither are individuals registered as sex offenders.

Children’s Court

Child Support Court and Child Protection Court both fall under Children’s Court. These courts hear cases involving minor children, child support, and child abuse and/or neglect.