Municipal Courts

Under its authority to create such other courts as may be necessary, the Texas Legislature has created municipal courts in each of the incorporated cities of the State. Municipal courts operate in more than 900 cities and towns. The larger cities are served by multiple courts, the number depending upon the population of the city and the needs of the public.

These courts have original and exclusive jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances and, within the city limits, have concurrent jurisdiction with justice of the peace courts over Class C misdemeanor criminal cases where the punishment upon conviction is by small fine only. When city ordinances relating to fire safety, zoning, public health, or sanitation are violated, fines of up to $2,000 may be charged, when authorized by the governing body of the city. Municipal judges may issue search or arrest warrants. These courts do not have jurisdiction in most civil cases but do have limited civil jurisdiction in cases which involve owners of dangerous dogs.

Municipal Addresses and Websites

Texas Municipal Courts' contact information, including web site links, is available in the Texas Judicial System Directory.

Please email the Judicial Information Division to update your court contact information for the Texas Judicial System Directory.

County Websites

The County Information Resources Agency, in cooperation with the Texas Association of Counties and the Judicial Committee on Information Technology, provides website development and hosting services for rural counties. JCIT is pleased to be a partner in this initiative to expand information technology capabilities to counties, districts, and precincts across Texas.

These county web sites include information about District, County and Justice of the Peace courts.
www.county.org/counties/txcounties.asp#list