GOVERNMENT CODE
CHAPTER 24. DISTRICT COURTS
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 24.001. AGE QUALIFICATION OF JUDGES. A district judge
must be at least 25 years old.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.002. SUBSTITUTE JUDGES. A change of venue is not
necessary because of the disqualification of a district judge in a
case or proceeding pending in his court, but the judge shall
immediately certify his disqualification to the governor. The
governor shall designate a district judge of another district to
exchange benches with the disqualified judge to try the case. The
governor shall notify both judges of his designation, and the
judges shall exchange benches. If the judges are prevented from
exchanging benches, the parties or their counsels may agree on an
attorney of the court for the trial of the case. The district judge
or special judge shall certify to the governor the fact of a failure
of the parties or their counsels to agree on an attorney, and the
governor shall appoint a person legally qualified to act as judge in
the trial of the case.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.003. SUBSTITUTE JUDGES IN CERTAIN
COUNTIES. (a) This section applies only to civil cases in
counties with five or more district courts.
(b) If a district judge is disqualified in a case pending in
his court and his disqualification is certified to the governor,
the governor may require any other district judge in the county to
exchange benches with the disqualified judge.
(c) If a district judge is absent, sick, or disqualified,
any of the district judges in the county may hold court for him or
may transfer a pending case to the court of any other district judge
in the county.
(d) Repealed by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 1, eff.
Aug. 30, 1993.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
§ 24.004. SPECIAL JUDGE BY AGREEMENT OF PARTIES. If the
parties agree on a special judge for the trial of a particular case,
the clerk shall enter in the minutes of the court, as a part of the
proceedings in the case, a record showing:
(1) that the judge of the court is disqualified to try
the case;
(2) the name of the special judge and that the parties
agreed on the selection of that judge for the trial of the case; and
(3) that the oath prescribed by law was administered
to the special judge.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.006. SALARY OF SPECIAL JUDGE. (a) This section
applies to payment of salary to:
(1) a special judge commissioned by the governor as
provided by Article V, Section 11, of the Texas Constitution; and
(2) a special judge agreed on by the parties as
provided by Section 24.004.
(b) Each special judge is entitled to receive for each day
served as a special judge the same daily salary that a district
judge receives.
(c) A special judge commissioned by the governor is also
entitled to receive the same daily salary that a district judge
receives for each day necessary for the special judge to travel to
and from the court.
(d) The daily salary is determined by dividing the annual
salary of a district judge by 365.
(e) In order to obtain his salary, a special judge
commissioned by the governor must present his sworn account to the
comptroller showing the number of travel days that were necessary.
The judge must also give the comptroller evidence that the judge was
duly commissioned. The account must be certified as correct by the
judge of the district or by the court clerk of the court in which he
served.
(f) A special judge agreed on by the parties or elected by
the practicing lawyers shall be paid on presenting to the
comptroller the certificate of the clerk of the court in which he
served and the judge's sworn account. The clerk's certificate must
show the record of the judge's election or appointment and must show
that the judge performed services in the court. The judge's sworn
account must show the number of days that he served as the special
judge.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
§ 24.007. JURISDICTION. The district court has the
jurisdiction provided by Article V, Section 8, of the Texas
Constitution.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.36, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 24.008. OTHER JURISDICTION. The district court may
hear and determine any cause that is cognizable by courts of law or
equity and may grant any relief that could be granted by either
courts of law or equity.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.009. JURISDICTIONAL AMOUNT IF PARTIES PROPERLY JOIN
IN ONE SUIT. If two or more persons originally and properly join in
one suit, the suit for jurisdictional purposes is treated as if one
party is suing for the aggregate amount of all their claims added
together, excluding interest and costs. This section does not
prevent jurisdiction from attaching on any other ground.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.010. JURISDICTION OF FAILURE TO PAY OVER CERTAIN
MONEY. The district court may hear and determine:
(1) motions against sheriffs and other officers of the
court for failure to pay over money collected under the process of
the court or other defalcation of duty in connection with the
process; and
(2) motions against attorneys for money collected by
them and not paid over.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.011. WRIT POWER. A judge of a district court may,
either in termtime or vacation, grant writs of mandamus,
injunction, sequestration, attachment, garnishment, certiorari,
and supersedeas and all other writs necessary to the enforcement of
the court's jurisdiction.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.012. TERMS AND SESSIONS OF COURT. (a) Each
district and criminal district court holds at least two terms of
court each year in each county in the district.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the terms
of each district, family district, and criminal district court are
continuous. Each term begins on a day fixed by law and continues
until the day fixed by law for the beginning of the next succeeding
term.
(c) The commencement of a term of court is not affected by
the fact that the first day of the term falls on a legal holiday or
the judge is absent from the county on the first day of the term.
(d) A district judge may hold as many sessions of court in a
county as he considers proper and expedient for the dispatch of
business and may adopt rules for that purpose as authorized by the
statutes of this state and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
(e) A district judge may hear a nonjury matter relating to a
civil or criminal case at a correctional facility in the county in
which the case is filed or prosecuted if a party to the case or the
criminal defendant is confined in the correctional facility. For
purposes of this subsection, "correctional facility" has the
meaning assigned by Section 1.07, Penal Code.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1494, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 24.013. JUDGE'S POWERS IN VACATION. (a) A judge may,
in vacation with the consent of the parties to a case:
(1) exercise powers, issue orders, and perform acts as
fully as in termtime; and
(2) try any civil case without a jury and enter final
judgment.
(b) The right of appeal, writ of error, and rules of
procedure apply to actions taken under this section as if done in
termtime.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 25, § 35, eff. Nov. 1,
1989.
§ 24.014. SPECIAL TERMS. (a) A district judge may set
a time for and hold a special term in any county in his district.
(b) The judge may appoint jury commissioners who select and
draw grand and petit jurors as provided by law. The jurors may be
summoned to appear before the court at the time designated by the
judge.
(c) The judge may determine whether or not to draw or
empanel a grand jury.
(d) A new civil case may not be brought to a special term of
the court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.015. PROCEDURE AT SPECIAL TERM. (a) Juries for
special terms authorized by Section 24.014 shall be summoned in the
manner provided by law for regular terms.
(b) Any proceeding in a case that may be held at a regular
term may also be held at a special term.
(c) The following procedures in any civil or criminal case
are the same and have the same force and effect when done at a
special term as though done at a regular term:
(1) the issuance of process, whether to a regular term
or a special term;
(2) the conduct of proceedings;
(3) the issuance of an order, judgment, or decree; and
(4) an appeal.
(d) A proceeding held at a special term may be appealed as if
it were held at a regular term.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.016. APPOINTED COUNSEL. A district judge may
appoint counsel to attend to the cause of a party who makes an
affidavit that he is too poor to employ counsel to attend to the
cause.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.017. PROCEEDINGS IN MULTICOUNTY
DISTRICTS. (a) This section applies in judicial districts that
are composed of more than one county.
(b) Except as provided by this section, the judge of a
district court may, in any county in his judicial district:
(1) hear and determine all preliminary and
interlocutory matters in which a jury may not be demanded;
(2) hear and determine uncontested or agreed cases and
contests of elections pending in his district, unless a party to the
suit objects; and
(3) sign all necessary orders and judgments in those
matters.
(c) The judge may sign an order or decree in any case pending
for trial or on trial before him in any county in his district at a
place that is convenient to the judge and forward the order or
decree to the clerk for filing and entry.
(d) A district judge who is assigned to preside in a court of
another judicial district or is presiding in exchange or at the
request of the regular judge of the court may, in the manner
provided by this section for the regular judge, hear, determine,
and enter the orders, judgments, and decrees in a case that is
pending for trial or has been tried before the visiting judge.
(e) All contested divorce cases, all default judgments, and
all cases in which any of the parties are cited by publication must
be tried in the county in which the case is filed unless other law
authorizes the case to be tried in another county.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.018. CERTAIN EFFECT OF DISTRICT
REORGANIZATION. If the counties that compose a judicial district
or the time or place for holding terms of a district court are
changed by law:
(1) the process and writs issued from the district
court and made returnable to a term of court fixed by the law at the
time of the issuance are returnable to the next term of the court as
fixed by the amended law and are as legal and valid as if they were
made returnable to the term of the court as fixed by the amended
law;
(2) the grand and petit jurors selected or drawn under
the prior law in any county in the judicial district are lawfully
selected or drawn for the next term of the district court of the
county as fixed by the amended law; and
(3) the obligees in all appearance bonds and
recognizances taken in and for the district court and the witnesses
summoned to appear before the district court under the prior law are
required to appear at the next term of the court as fixed by the
amended law.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.019. EXPENSES OF DISTRICT JUDGE. (a) A district
judge engaged in the discharge of official duties in a county other
than the judge's county of residence is entitled to traveling and
other necessary expenses, as provided by Chapter 660.
(b) A district judge is entitled to receive from the state
the actual and necessary postage, telegraph, and telephone expenses
incurred in the discharge of official duties.
(c) The expenses shall be paid by the state on a sworn
itemized account showing the expenses.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, § 5.95(105), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 24.020. JURISDICTION OVER COMMISSIONERS COURT. The
district court has appellate jurisdiction and general supervisory
control over the commissioners court, with the exceptions and
regulations prescribed by law.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.37, eff. Sept. 1,
1987.
§ 24.021. INCOMPETENCY. For purposes of Article XV,
Section 6, of the Texas Constitution, "incompetency" means:
(1) gross ignorance of official duties;
(2) gross carelessness in the discharge of official
duties; or
(3) inability or unfitness to promptly and properly
discharge official duties because of a serious mental or physical
defect that did not exist at the time of the judge's election.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, § 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 24.022. EFFECT OF TRANSFER OF CERTAIN CASES FOLLOWING
CREATION OF ADDITIONAL COURT. (a) On the creation of an
additional district court in a county, an existing district court
in the county may transfer to the new court a case regarding a child
who is subject to the continuing exclusive jurisdiction of the
existing court under Title 5, Family Code, regardless of whether
the case is pending in the existing court or the existing court
rendered a final order in the case.
(b) The district court to which the case is transferred
under this section acquires continuing exclusive jurisdiction
under Title 5, Family Code, over the child.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1148, § 1, eff. June 15, 2001.
SUBCHAPTER B. CERTAIN JUDICIAL DISTRICTS
§ 24.101. 1ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (JASPER, NEWTON, SABINE,
AND SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTIES). (a) The 1st Judicial District is
composed of Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
1st District Court in Sabine and San Augustine counties has the
civil jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) The terms of the 1st District Court begin:
(1) in Jasper County on the first Monday in January and
the 22nd Monday after the first Monday in January;
(2) in Newton County on the 5th and 34th Mondays after
the first Monday in January;
(3) in San Augustine County on the 11th and 40th
Mondays after the first Monday in January; and
(4) in Sabine County on the 17th and 45th Mondays after
the first Monday in January.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.102. 2ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CHEROKEE
COUNTY). (a) The 2nd Judicial District is composed of Cherokee
County.
(b) The terms of the 2nd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in March and September.
(c) The judge may take a vacation and not attend court for
four weeks in each year.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.103. 3RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ANDERSON, HENDERSON,
AND HOUSTON COUNTIES). (a) The 3rd Judicial District is composed
of Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties.
(b) The terms of the 3rd District Court begin:
(1) in Anderson County on the first Mondays in April,
July, and December;
(2) in Henderson County on the first Mondays in
February, June, and September; and
(3) in Houston County on the first Mondays in March,
August, and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.104. 4TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (RUSK
COUNTY). (a) The 4th Judicial District is composed of Rusk
County.
(b) The terms of the 4th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.105. 5TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BOWIE AND CASS
COUNTIES). (a) The 5th Judicial District is composed of Bowie and
Cass counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Bowie and Cass counties has the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) In Bowie County, the 5th Judicial District has
concurrent jurisdiction with the 102nd Judicial District. Either
court, in term or in vacation, may transfer a pending civil or
criminal case to the other court by an order entered on the minutes
of the transferring court.
(d) The terms of the 5th District Court begin:
(1) in Bowie County on the first Mondays in January and
July; and
(2) in Cass County on the first Mondays in February,
May, August, and November.
(e) The 5th and 102nd district courts may sit in Bowie
County in Texarkana, in addition to Boston, to try, hear, and
determine nonjury civil or criminal cases, motions, arguments, and
other nonjury matters.
(f) When the courts sit in Texarkana, the Bowie County
district clerk or the clerk's deputy shall serve as clerk of the
courts and may transfer all necessary books, minutes, and records
to Texarkana or Boston when necessary. The Bowie County sheriff or
the sheriff's deputy shall attend the courts in Texarkana and
perform all duties required by law or by the court.
(g) The Commissioners Court of Bowie County may provide
suitable quarters for the 5th and 102nd district courts in
Texarkana or may make an agreement with the City of Texarkana to
provide quarters.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1012, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 24.106. 6TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FANNIN, LAMAR, AND RED
RIVER COUNTIES). (a) The 6th Judicial District is composed of
Fannin, Lamar, and Red River counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Red River County has the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) In Red River County, the 6th Judicial District has
concurrent jurisdiction with the 102nd Judicial District. In Lamar
County, the 6th Judicial District has concurrent jurisdiction with
the 62nd Judicial District.
(d) In any county in the district in which there are two or
more district courts, the judges of those courts may, in their
discretion, either in termtime or in vacation, on motion of any
party, on agreement of the parties, or on their own motion, transfer
any civil or criminal case or proceeding on their dockets to the
docket of one of the other district courts. In Lamar County, the
judges may transfer a case by an order entered in the minutes of the
transferring court. The judges of the courts may, in their
discretion, exchange benches or districts from time to time. Any of
the judges may in his own courtroom try and determine any case or
proceeding pending in any of the other courts without having the
case transferred or may sit in any of the other courts and hear and
determine any case or proceeding pending in one of those courts.
Two or more judges may try different cases in the same court at the
same time and each may occupy his own courtroom or the room of any
other court. In case of absence, sickness, or disqualification of
any of the judges, any other of the judges may hold court for him.
Any of the judges may hear and determine any part or question of any
case or proceeding pending in any of the courts, and any other of
the judges may complete the hearing and render judgment in the
proceeding. Any of the judges may hear and determine motions,
petitions for injunction, applications for appointment of
receivers, interventions, motions to transfer venue, pleas in
abatement and all dilatory pleas, motions for new trials, and all
preliminary matters, questions, and proceedings, and may enter
judgment or order on them in the court in which the case or
proceeding is pending without having the matter transferred to the
court of the acting judge. The judge in whose court the matter is
pending may proceed to hear, complete, and determine the matter or
all or any part of any other matter and may render final judgment on
it. Any of the judges of the courts may issue restraining orders
and injunctions returnable to any of the other courts. This
subsection does not limit the powers of the judges when acting for
any other judge by exchange of benches or otherwise.
(e) The terms of the 6th District Court in each county in the
district begin on the first Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.107. 7TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (SMITH
COUNTY). (a) The 7th Judicial District is composed of Smith
County.
(b) The terms of the 7th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.108. 8TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DELTA, FRANKLIN,
HOPKINS, AND RAINS COUNTIES). (a) The 8th Judicial District is
composed of Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, and Rains counties.
(b) In any county in the district in which there are two or
more district courts, those district courts have concurrent
jurisdiction in that county.
(c) In any county in the district in which there are two or
more district courts, the judges of those courts may, in their
discretion, either in termtime or in vacation, on motion of any
party, on agreement of the parties, or on their own motion, transfer
any civil or criminal case or proceeding on their dockets to the
docket of one of the other district courts. The judges in Delta and
Franklin counties may transfer a case by an order entered on the
minutes of the transferring court. The judges of the courts may, in
their discretion, exchange benches or districts from time to time.
If a judge of one of the courts is disqualified, he may transfer the
case or proceeding from his court to one of the other courts. Any of
the judges may in his own courtroom try and determine any case or
proceeding pending in any of the other courts without having the
case transferred or may sit in any of the other courts and hear and
determine any case or proceeding pending in one of those courts.
Two or more judges may try different cases in the same court at the
same time and each may occupy his own courtroom or the room of any
other court. In case of absence, sickness, or disqualification of
any of the judges, any other of the judges may hold court for him.
Any of the judges may hear and determine any part or question of any
case or proceeding pending in any of the courts, and any other of
the judges may complete the hearing and render judgment in the
proceeding. Any of the judges may hear and determine motions,
petitions for injunction, applications for appointment of
receivers, interventions, motions to transfer venue, pleas in
abatement and all dilatory pleas, motions for new trials, and all
preliminary matters, questions, and proceedings, and may enter
judgment or order on them in the court in which the case or
proceeding is pending without having the matter transferred to the
court of the acting judge. The judge in whose court the matter is
pending may proceed to hear, complete, and determine the matter or
all or any part of any other matter and may render final judgment on
it. Any of the judges of the courts may issue restraining orders
and injunctions returnable to any of the other courts. This
subsection does not limit the powers of the judges when acting for
any other judge by exchange of benches or otherwise.
(d) The terms of the 8th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.109. 9TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MONTGOMERY AND WALLER
COUNTIES). (a) The 9th Judicial District is composed of
Montgomery and Waller counties.
(b) The 9th and 155th district courts have concurrent
jurisdiction in Waller County.
(c) The terms of the 9th District Court begin:
(1) in Montgomery County on the first Monday in
January and the first Monday in July; and
(2) in Waller County on the first Monday in January and
the first Monday in July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 704, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Acts
2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1308, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 24.110. 410TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MONTGOMERY
COUNTY). (a) The 410th Judicial District is composed of
Montgomery County.
(b) The terms of the 410th District Court begin on the third
Monday in January, the eighth Monday after the first Monday in
January, the third Monday in July, and the 10th Monday after the
first Monday in July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 704, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
§ 24.111. 10TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GALVESTON
COUNTY). (a) The 10th Judicial District is composed of Galveston
County.
(b) The terms of the 10th and 56th district courts begin on
the first Mondays in January and July.
(c) In all suits, actions, or proceedings in the district
courts in Galveston County, it is sufficient for the address or
designation to be the "District Court of Galveston County."
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.112. 11TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS
COUNTY). (a) The 11th Judicial District is composed of Harris
County.
(b) The provisions of this section apply to the 11th, 55th,
61st, 80th, 113th, 125th, 127th, 129th, 133rd, 151st, 152nd, 157th,
164th, and 165th judicial districts.
(c) The terms of each of the district courts begin on the
first Mondays in January and July. The first term is designated the
January-June term and the second term is designated the
July-December term.
(d) In all suits, actions, or proceedings in the district
courts, it is sufficient for the address or designation to be
"District Court of Harris County."
(e) The judge of each district court shall sign the minutes
of each court term not later than the 30th day after the end of the
term and shall also sign the minutes at the end of each volume of the
minutes. Each judge sitting in the court shall sign the minutes of
the proceedings that were held before him.
(f) The judge of each district court may take the same
vacation as the other district court judges of Harris County at any
time during the year. During the judge's vacation, the court term
remains open, and the judge of any other district court may hold
court during the judge's vacation. The judges of the district
courts shall, by agreement among themselves, take their vacations
alternately so that there are at all times at least six district
court judges in the county.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 5, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
§ 24.113. 12TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GRIMES, LEON, MADISON,
AND WALKER COUNTIES). (a) The 12th Judicial District is composed
of Grimes, Leon, Madison, and Walker counties.
(b) The terms of the 12th District Court in each county of
the district begin on the first Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.114. 13TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (NAVARRO
COUNTY). (a) The 13th Judicial District is composed of Navarro
County.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Navarro County has the civil jurisdiction of a
county court.
(c) The terms of the 13th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
(d) The judge of the 13th District Court shall impanel grand
juries at the April and October terms and at any other terms as
ordered by the judge.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.115. 14TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAS
COUNTY). (a) The 14th Judicial District is composed of Dallas
County.
(b) The terms of the 14th District Court begin on the second
Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
(c) Except for Subsection (b), which applies only to the
14th District Court, this section applies to the 14th, 44th, 68th,
95th, 101st, 116th, 134th, 160th, and 162nd district courts, the
Criminal Judicial District of Dallas County, and the Criminal
Judicial Districts Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Dallas County.
(d) The district courts and criminal district courts having
jurisdiction in Dallas County have concurrent jurisdiction.
(e) The judges of the district and criminal district courts
of Dallas County shall, by agreement among themselves, take
vacations so that there are at all times at least three judges of
those courts in the county.
(f) Repealed by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 3, eff.
Aug. 30, 1993.
(g) The Dallas County sheriff or the sheriff's deputy shall
attend the courts when required by law or by the judge.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, § 8.44(2), eff. Aug. 28, 1989;
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
§ 24.116. 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GRAYSON
COUNTY). (a) The 15th Judicial District is composed of Grayson
County.
(b) The 15th and 59th judicial districts have concurrent
jurisdiction in Grayson County.
(c) The terms of the 15th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.117. 16TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON
COUNTY). (a) The 16th Judicial District is composed of Denton
County.
(b) The terms of the 16th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July of each year.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 649, § 1, eff. June 14, 1989.
§ 24.118. 17TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT
COUNTY). (a) The 17th Judicial District is composed of Tarrant
County.
(b) The 17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, and 153rd district courts
have concurrent jurisdiction in Tarrant County.
(c) The terms of the 17th and 96th district courts begin on
the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.119. 18TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (JOHNSON AND SOMERVELL
COUNTIES). (a) The 18th Judicial District is composed of Johnson
and Somervell counties.
(b) The terms of the 18th District Court in each county in
the district begin on the first Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.27(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 24.120. 19TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MCLENNAN
COUNTY). (a) The 19th Judicial District is composed of McLennan
County.
(b) The 19th, 54th, 74th, and 170th district courts have
concurrent jurisdiction in McLennan County.
(c) The terms of the 19th District Court begin on the second
Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.121. 20TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MILAM
COUNTY). (a) The 20th Judicial District is composed of Milam
County.
(b) The terms of the 20th District Court begin on the third
Mondays in January, May, and September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.122. 21ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BASTROP, BURLESON,
LEE, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES). (a) The 21st Judicial District is
composed of Bastrop, Burleson, Lee, and Washington counties.
(b) The terms of the 21st District Court begin:
(1) in Bastrop County on the second Tuesday in January
and the 15th Tuesday after the first Tuesday in March;
(2) in Burleson County on the 10th Tuesdays after the
first Tuesdays in March and September;
(3) in Lee County on the sixth Tuesdays after the first
Tuesdays in March and September; and
(4) in Washington County on the first Tuesdays in
March and September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.123. 22ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CALDWELL, COMAL, AND
HAYS COUNTIES). (a) The 22nd Judicial District is composed of
Caldwell, Comal, and Hays counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Comal County has the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) The terms of the 22nd District Court begin:
(1) in Caldwell County on the first Mondays in March,
June, September, and December;
(2) in Comal County on the first Mondays in April,
July, October, and January; and
(3) in Hays County on the first Mondays in February,
May, August, and November.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.124. 23RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZORIA, MATAGORDA,
AND WHARTON COUNTIES). (a) The 23rd Judicial District is
composed of Brazoria, Matagorda, and Wharton counties.
(b) The terms of the 23rd District Court begin:
(1) in Brazoria County on the first Mondays in April
and October, and the terms are designated the April-September and
October-March terms;
(2) in Matagorda County on the first Mondays in June
and December, and the terms are designated the June-November and
December-May terms; and
(3) in Wharton County on the first Mondays in July and
January, and the terms are designated the July-December and
January-June terms.
(c) There is one general docket for the 23rd and 130th
district courts in Matagorda County. All suits and proceedings
within the jurisdiction of the courts in Matagorda County shall be
addressed to the district court of Matagorda County. All
citations, notices, restraining orders, and other process issued in
Matagorda County by the clerk or judges of the courts are returnable
to the district court of Matagorda County without reference to the
court number. On return of the process the judge of either court
may preside over the hearing or trial. The judges of the 23rd and
130th district courts in Matagorda County may hear and dispose of
any matter on the courts' general docket without transferring the
matter.
(d) The Matagorda County district clerk shall keep one set
of minutes in which the clerk shall record all judgments and orders
of the 23rd and 130th district courts in Matagorda County. Each of
the judges of the 23rd and 130th district courts in Matagorda County
shall sign the minutes of each term of those courts not later than
the 30th day after the end of each term, shall sign the minutes at
the end of each column of the minutes, and shall sign the minutes of
the proceedings that were held before him.
(e) Each of the judges of the 23rd and 130th district courts
may take a vacation and not attend court for six weeks in each year.
The judges by agreement between themselves shall take their
vacations alternately so that there are at all times at least one
judge in his judicial district.
(f) There is one general docket for the 23rd and 329th
district courts in Wharton County. All suits and proceedings
within the jurisdiction of the courts in Wharton County shall be
addressed to the district court of Wharton County. All citations,
notices, restraining orders, and other process issued in Wharton
County by the clerk or judges of the courts are returnable to the
district court of Wharton County without reference to the court
number. On return of the process the judge of either court may
preside over the hearing or trial. The judges of the 23rd and 329th
district courts in Wharton County may hear and dispose of any matter
on the courts' general docket, both civil and criminal, without
transferring the matter.
(g) The Wharton County district clerk shall keep one set of
minutes in which the clerk shall record all judgments and orders of
the 23rd and 329th district courts in Wharton County. Each of the
judges of the 23rd and 329th district courts in Wharton County shall
sign the minutes of each term of those courts not later than the
30th day after the end of each term, shall sign the minutes at the
end of each column of the minutes, and shall sign the minutes of the
proceedings that were held before him.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 196, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
§ 24.125. 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CALHOUN, DEWITT,
GOLIAD, JACKSON, REFUGIO, AND VICTORIA COUNTIES). (a) The 24th
Judicial District is composed of Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson,
Refugio, and Victoria counties.
(b) The terms of the 24th District Court begin:
(1) in Calhoun County on the fourth Mondays in April
and October;
(2) in DeWitt County on the second Mondays in January
and July;
(3) in Goliad County on the first Mondays in February
and August;
(4) in Jackson County on the fourth Mondays in January
and July;
(5) in Refugio County on the third Mondays in April and
October; and
(6) in Victoria County on the second Mondays in March
and September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.126. 25TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLORADO, GONZALES,
GUADALUPE, AND LAVACA COUNTIES). (a) The 25th Judicial District
is composed of Colorado, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Lavaca counties.
(b) The 25th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the Second 25th District Court.
(c) The terms of the 25th District Court begin:
(1) in Colorado County on the first Mondays in
February and September;
(2) in Gonzales County on the first Mondays in January
and June;
(3) in Guadalupe County on the first Mondays in March
and October; and
(4) in Lavaca County on the first Mondays in April and
November.
(d) The judges of the 25th and Second 25th judicial
districts may hear and dispose of any suit or proceeding on either
court's docket without transferring the suit or proceeding. The
judges may transfer cases from one court to the other by an order
entered on the docket of the court from which the matter was
transferred. A case may not be transferred without the permission
of the judge of the court to which the case is to be transferred.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.127. SECOND 25TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLORADO,
GONZALES, GUADALUPE, AND LAVACA COUNTIES). (a) The Second 25th
Judicial District is composed of Colorado, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and
Lavaca counties.
(b) The terms of the Second 25th District Court begin:
(1) in Colorado County on the first Mondays in April
and November;
(2) in Gonzales County on the first Mondays in May and
December;
(3) in Guadalupe County on the first Mondays in
February and September; and
(4) in Lavaca County on the first Mondays in January
and June.
(c) Section 24.126, relating to the 25th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the Second
25th District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.128. 26TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WILLIAMSON
COUNTY). (a) The 26th Judicial District is composed of
Williamson County.
(b) The terms of the 26th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 530, § 1, eff. June 15, 1991; Acts
1995, 74th Leg., ch. 363, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995.
§ 24.129. 27TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BELL AND LAMPASAS
COUNTIES). (a) The 27th Judicial District is composed of Bell and
Lampasas counties.
(b) The 27th, 146th, and 169th judicial districts have
concurrent jurisdiction in Bell County.
(c) The terms of the 27th District Court begin:
(1) in Bell County on the first Mondays in January,
April, July, and October; and
(2) in Lampasas County on the first Mondays in March
and September and may continue in session until the Saturday night
before the Monday on which the next session convenes.
(d) A grand jury may not be impaneled in the district courts
in Bell County except by special order of the presiding judge.
(e) By order entered on the minutes of the court, the
presiding judge of the district courts in Bell County may in his
discretion, either in termtime or vacation, transfer any civil or
criminal case to any of the other district courts. The order of
transfer and all other orders made in the case shall be copied and
certified by the clerk and the certified copies of the orders shall
be filed with the papers of the transferred case. The additional
fees caused by the transfer shall be taxed as part of the costs of
the suit. When a cause is transferred, the clerk shall enter the
cause on the docket of the court to which the transfer is made and
the judge of that court shall try and dispose of the cause as if the
cause had been filed in his court. Any of the judges may in his own
courtroom try and determine any case or proceeding pending in any of
the other courts without having the case transferred or may sit in
any of the other courts and hear and determine any pending case.
The judge hearing a transferred case shall indicate on the docket
sheet and orders that he is sitting for that district. Two or more
judges may try different cases in the same court at the same time,
and each may occupy his own courtroom or the room of any other
court. In case of absence, sickness, or disqualification, any of
the other judges may hold court for him. All bail bonds,
recognizances, or other obligations taken for the appearance of the
defendants, parties, or witnesses in any of the district courts or
in any inferior court in Bell County shall be binding on all the
defendants, parties, and witnesses, and their sureties, in any of
the courts in which the case is pending or to which the case is
transferred. If a case is transferred, all process, bonds,
recognizances, and obligations extant at the time of transfer shall
be returned to and filed in the court to which the case is
transferred and shall be valid and binding as if originally issued
out of that court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.130. 28TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (NUECES
COUNTY). (a) The 28th Judicial District is composed of Nueces
County.
(b) The 28th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the 94th and 117th district courts in Nueces County.
(c) The terms of the 28th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July. The terms are designated the
January-July and July-January terms.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 24.
§ 24.131. 29TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PALO PINTO
COUNTY). (a) The 29th Judicial District is composed of Palo Pinto
County.
(b) The terms of the 29th District Court begin on the first
Monday in March, the first Monday after the third Saturday in June,
and the first Monday after the fourth Saturday in October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.132. 30TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WICHITA
COUNTY). (a) The 30th Judicial District is composed of Wichita
County.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction prescribed by law,
each district court in Wichita County has the civil jurisdiction of
a county court.
(c) The terms of the 30th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
(d) The 30th, 78th, and 89th district courts in Wichita
County have concurrent jurisdiction.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.133. 31ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GRAY, HEMPHILL,
LIPSCOMB, ROBERTS, AND WHEELER COUNTIES). (a) The 31st Judicial
District is composed of Gray, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Roberts, and
Wheeler counties.
(b) The terms of the 31st District Court begin:
(1) in Gray County on the first Mondays in January and
July;
(2) in Hemphill County on the second Monday in April
and the first Monday in November;
(3) in Lipscomb County on the fourth Monday in March
and the second Monday in September;
(4) in Roberts County on the second Monday in March and
the fourth Monday in August; and
(5) in Wheeler County on the fourth Mondays in April
and November.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.134. 32ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FISHER, MITCHELL, AND
NOLAN COUNTIES). (a) The 32nd Judicial District is composed of
Fisher, Mitchell, and Nolan counties.
(b) The terms of the 32nd District Court in each county in
the district begin on the first Mondays in January, May, and
September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 34, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.
§ 24.135. 33RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BLANCO, BURNET, LLANO,
AND SAN SABA COUNTIES). (a) The 33rd Judicial District is
composed of Blanco, Burnet, Llano, and San Saba counties.
(b) The terms of the 33rd District Court begin:
(1) in Blanco County on the first Mondays in February
and September;
(2) in Burnet County on the fourth Mondays in April and
November;
(3) in Llano County on the first Mondays in April and
November; and
(4) in San Saba County on the second Mondays in March
and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.08(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987;
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 623, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 24.136. 34TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO
COUNTY). (a) The 34th Judicial District is composed of El Paso
County.
(b) In El Paso County, the 34th, 41st, 65th, 120th, and
171st district courts have concurrent jurisdiction.
(c) The terms of the 34th District Court begin on the third
Mondays in April and September and the first Mondays in January,
July, and November.
(d) A grand jury may not be impaneled in any district court
in El Paso County except the 34th District Court unless the judge of
another district court in the county calls for a grand jury by
special order.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 704, § 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 24.137. 35TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BROWN AND MILLS
COUNTIES). (a) The 35th Judicial District is composed of Brown
and Mills counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Mills County has the civil jurisdiction of a
county court.
(c) The terms of the 35th District Court begin:
(1) in Brown County on the first Mondays in February,
June, and November; and
(2) in Mills County on the first Mondays in January,
May, and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.09(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 24.138. 36TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ARANSAS, BEE, LIVE
OAK, MCMULLEN, AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES). (a) The 36th Judicial
District is composed of Aransas, Bee, Live Oak, McMullen, and San
Patricio counties.
(b) The terms of the 36th District Court begin:
(1) in Aransas County on the fourth Mondays in April
and October;
(2) in Bee County on the first Mondays in April and
October;
(3) in Live Oak County on the third Mondays in April
and October;
(4) in McMullen County on the second Mondays in
January and July; and
(5) in San Patricio County on the second Mondays in
April and October.
(c) Each of the judges of the district courts in Aransas,
Bee, Live Oak, McMullen, and San Patricio counties shall sign the
minutes of each term of his court in each of the counties not later
than the 30th day after the end of the term and shall also sign the
minutes of the other courts covering the proceedings that were held
before him.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 196, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
§ 24.139. 37TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR
COUNTY). (a) The 37th Judicial District is composed of Bexar
County.
(b) This section applies to the 37th, 45th, 57th, 73rd,
131st, 144th, 150th, 166th, 175th, 186th, 187th, 224th, 225th,
226th, 227th, 285th, 288th, 289th, and 290th district courts in
Bexar County.
(c) The district courts in Bexar County have concurrent
jurisdiction.
(d) The 144th, 175th, 186th, 187th, 226th, 227th, and 290th
district courts shall give preference to criminal cases. The terms
of those courts begin on the first Mondays in January and July.
Each term continues until the court has disposed of the business for
that term.
(e) The terms of the 37th, 45th, 57th, 73rd, 131st, 150th,
166th, 224th, 225th, 285th, and 288th district courts begin on the
first Mondays in January and July.
(f) The district clerk shall docket successively on the
dockets of the courts that do not give preference to criminal cases
all civil cases and proceedings so that the civil cases and
proceedings are docketed in rotation and equally distributed among
the courts.
(g) The district clerk may consolidate the minutes of the
district courts. If the clerk decides not to consolidate the
minutes, the judge of each district court shall sign the minutes of
each court term not later than the 30th day after the end of the term
and shall also sign at the end of each volume of the minutes. Each
judge sitting in a court shall sign the minutes of the proceedings
held before him. If the clerk decides to consolidate the minutes,
each judge may accept responsibility for the proceedings held
before him by signing at the end of the minutes or at the end of the
volume.
(h) All bonds taken for the appearance of defendants,
parties, or witnesses in any district court or in any inferior court
in Bexar County are binding on all defendants, parties, or
witnesses, and their sureties, in any of the courts in which the
case is pending or to which the case may be transferred. If a case
is transferred, all process, bonds, recognizances, and obligations
extant at the time of transfer shall be returned and filed in the
court to which the case is transferred and are valid and binding as
if originally issued out of that court.
(i) The judge of each district court may take a vacation at
any time during the year. During a judge's vacation, the court term
remains open, and the judge of any other district court may hold
court during the judge's vacation. The judges of the district
courts shall, by agreement among themselves, take their vacations
so that there are district court judges in the county at all times.
(j) The Bexar County sheriff or the sheriff's deputy shall
attend each court as required by law or by the judge.
(k) The judges of the courts that give preference to
criminal cases may impanel special and general grand juries as
needed or by agreement between the judges.
(l) By a majority vote, the judges of the courts that give
preference to criminal cases may jointly appoint not more than four
grand jury bailiffs. The bailiffs serve at the will of the judges
and may be removed by a majority vote of the judges.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, § 6, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 497, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 24.140. 38TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MEDINA, REAL, AND
UVALDE COUNTIES). (a) The 38th Judicial District is composed of
Medina, Real, and Uvalde counties.
(b) The terms of the 38th District Court begin:
(1) in Medina County on the first Mondays in January
and June;
(2) in Real County on the first Mondays in April and
November; and
(3) in Uvalde County on the first Mondays in February
and September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.141. 39TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HASKELL, KENT,
STONEWALL, AND THROCKMORTON COUNTIES). (a) The 39th Judicial
District is composed of Haskell, Kent, Stonewall, and Throckmorton
counties.
(b) The terms of the 39th District Court begin:
(1) in Haskell County on the first Monday in January,
the 15th Monday after the first Monday in January, and the third
Monday after the first Monday in September;
(2) in Kent County on the ninth Monday after the first
Monday in January and the first Monday in September;
(3) in Stonewall County on the 6th and 20th Mondays
after the first Monday in January and the ninth Monday after the
first Monday in September; and
(4) in Throckmorton County on the 12th and 23rd
Mondays after the first Monday in January and the 12th Monday after
the first Monday in September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.142. 40TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ELLIS
COUNTY). (a) The 40th Judicial District is composed of Ellis
County.
(b) The terms of the 40th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in March, June, September, and December.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.143. 41ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO
COUNTY). (a) The 41st Judicial District is composed of El Paso
County.
(b) The terms of the 41st District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, September, and November.
(c) Section 24.136, relating to the 34th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 41st
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.144. 42ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CALLAHAN, COLEMAN, AND
TAYLOR COUNTIES). (a) The 42nd Judicial District is composed of
Callahan, Coleman, and Taylor counties.
(b) The 42nd District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the 104th District Court in Taylor County.
(c) The terms of the 42nd District Court begin:
(1) in Callahan County on the first Mondays in January
and July;
(2) in Coleman County on the first Mondays in January
and July; and
(3) in Taylor County on the first Monday in January, on
the 15th Monday after the first Monday in January, and on the first
Monday in September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1385, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 24.145. 43RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PARKER
COUNTY). (a) The 43rd Judicial District is composed of Parker
County.
(b) The terms of the 43rd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.146. 44TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAS
COUNTY). (a) The 44th Judicial District is composed of Dallas
County.
(b) The terms of the 44th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, April, June, and October.
(c) Section 24.115, relating to the 14th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 44th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.147. 45TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR
COUNTY). (a) The 45th Judicial District is composed of Bexar
County.
(b) Section 24.139, relating to the 37th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 45th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.148. 46TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FOARD, HARDEMAN, AND
WILBARGER COUNTIES). (a) The 46th Judicial District is composed
of Foard, Hardeman, and Wilbarger counties.
(b) The terms of the 46th District Court begin:
(1) in Foard County on the 6th, 17th, and 36th Mondays
after the first Monday in January;
(2) in Hardeman County on the 8th, 19th, 38th, and 47th
Mondays after the first Monday in January; and
(3) in Wilbarger County on the first Monday in January
and the 11th, 22nd, and 41st Mondays after the first Monday in
January.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.149. 47TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ARMSTRONG, POTTER, AND
RANDALL COUNTIES). (a) The 47th Judicial District is composed of
Armstrong, Potter, and Randall counties.
(b) The 47th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the 181st District Court in Randall and Potter counties. The
47th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the 108th
District Court in Potter County.
(c) The terms of the 47th District Court begin:
(1) in Armstrong County on the 10th Monday after the
fourth Monday in January, and the 11th Monday after the first Monday
in August;
(2) in Potter County on the fourth Monday in January,
the 15th Monday after the fourth Monday in January, the first Monday
in August, and the 14th Monday after the first Monday in August;
and
(3) in Randall County on the first Monday in January,
the 16th Monday after the first Monday in January, and the eighth
Monday after the first Monday in August.
(d) The judge may, in any county in the 47th Judicial
District:
(1) hear and determine all preliminary and
interlocutory matters in which a jury may not be demanded,
regardless of whether the case is filed in the county in which the
hearing is held; and
(2) unless objection is filed by a party to the suit,
hear any nonjury case, including divorces, adoptions, default
judgments, and matters where citation was by publication,
regardless of whether the case is filed in the county in which the
hearing is held.
(e) The judge of the 47th District Court may transfer a case
to the docket of any district court that has jurisdiction over the
case with the approval of the judge of the court to which the case is
transferred. If a case is transferred, all process and writs issued
out of the transferring court are returnable to the court to which
the case is transferred. All bonds executed and recognizances
entered into in a transferring court shall bind the parties for
their appearance or to fulfill the obligations of the bonds and
recognizances at the terms of the court to which the transfer is
made.
(f) Each sheriff of the counties in the district shall
perform the duties prescribed by law in connection with the cases
from that sheriff's county.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.150. 48TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT
COUNTY). (a) The 48th Judicial District is composed of Tarrant
County.
(b) The terms of the 48th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in February, May, August, and November.
(c) Section 24.118, relating to the 17th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 48th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.151. 49TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WEBB AND ZAPATA
COUNTIES). (a) The 49th Judicial District is composed of Webb and
Zapata counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
49th District Court has the civil and criminal jurisdiction of a
county court.
(c) The 49th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the other district courts in Webb County.
(d) Indictments returned to the 49th District Court in Webb
County may also be returned to any other court in Webb County with
the appropriate criminal jurisdiction.
(e) The terms of the 49th District Court begin:
(1) in Webb County on the first Mondays in January,
April, June, September, and November; and
(2) in Zapata County on the first Mondays in March and
August.
(f) In Webb County, the clerk of the district courts shall
file all civil cases, except tax suits, on the Clerk's Civil File
Docket and shall number the cases consecutively. All tax suits
shall be assigned and docketed in the 49th District Court. All
cases involving family violence, all cases under the Family Code,
and all cases under the Health and Safety Code shall be assigned and
docketed in the 406th District Court. All other civil cases shall
be assigned and docketed at random by the district clerk. The clerk
shall keep a separate file docket, known as the Clerk's Criminal
File Docket, for criminal cases and a separate file docket, known as
the Clerk's Tax Suit Docket, for tax suits. The clerk shall number
the cases on the Clerk's Tax Suit Docket consecutively with a
separate series of numbers and shall number the cases on the Clerk's
Criminal File Docket consecutively with a separate series of
numbers.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 34, § 1, eff. Aug. 1, 1991; Acts
1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 121, § 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1995,
74th Leg., ch. 205, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th
Leg., ch. 1337, § 17, eff. Jan. 1, 2001.
§ 24.152. 50TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BAYLOR, COTTLE, KING,
AND KNOX COUNTIES). (a) The 50th Judicial District is composed of
Baylor, Cottle, King, and Knox counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
district court in Baylor, Cottle, King, and Knox counties has the
civil jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) The terms of the 50th District Court in each county
begin on the first Mondays in January and September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 342, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts
1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1146, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999,
76th Leg., ch. 1147, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th
Leg., ch. 1148, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg.,
ch. 1495, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 24.153. 51ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COKE, IRION,
SCHLEICHER, STERLING, AND TOM GREEN COUNTIES). (a) The 51st
Judicial District is composed of Coke, Irion, Schleicher, Sterling,
and Tom Green counties.
(b) The terms of the 51st District Court begin:
(1) in Coke County on the first Mondays in February and
August;
(2) in Irion County on the first Mondays in March and
September;
(3) in Schleicher County on the first Mondays in April
and October;
(4) in Sterling County on the first Mondays in May and
November; and
(5) in Tom Green County on the first Mondays in January
and June.
(c) The judges of the 51st, 119th, 340th, and 391st district
courts may, in their discretion, exchange benches and sit for each
other without formal order in each county in those districts,
including counties in which the districts do not overlap. Any of
the judges may, in his own courtroom, try and determine any case or
proceeding pending in any of the other courts without having the
case transferred, or may sit in any of the other courts and hear and
determine any case pending in one of those courts. The judges may
try different cases filed in the same court at the same time, and
each may occupy his own courtroom or the room of any other court. In
case of absence, sickness, or disqualification of any of the
judges, any of the other judges may hold court for him. Any of the
judges may hear and determine any part or question of a case or
proceeding pending in any of the courts, and any of the other judges
may complete the hearing and render judgment in the case. Any of
the judges may hear and determine motions, petitions for
injunction, applications for appointment of receivers,
interventions, motions to transfer venue, pleas in abatement, all
dilatory pleas, motions for new trials, and all preliminary
matters, questions, and proceedings, and may enter judgment or
order thereon in the court in which the case is pending without
having the case transferred to the court of the acting judge. The
judge in whose court the case is pending may proceed to hear,
complete, and determine any part or all of the case or other matter
and render final judgment. Any of the judges may issue restraining
orders and injunctions returnable to any of the other judges or
courts.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1337, § 6, eff. Oct. 1, 1999.
§ 24.154. 52ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CORYELL
COUNTY). (a) The 52nd Judicial District is composed of Coryell
County.
(b) The terms of the 52nd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and June.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.155. 53RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS
COUNTY). (a) The 53rd Judicial District is composed of Travis
County.
(b) The 53rd, 98th, and 126th district courts have
concurrent jurisdiction.
(c) The terms of the 53rd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, and October.
(d) The judges of the district courts other than the 147th
District Court in Travis County do not have a duty to impanel grand
juries but may impanel grand juries when they consider it
necessary.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.156. 54TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MCLENNAN
COUNTY). (a) The 54th Judicial District is composed of McLennan
County.
(b) The terms of the 54th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
(c) Section 24.120, relating to the 19th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 54th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.157. 55TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS
COUNTY). (a) The 55th Judicial District is composed of Harris
County.
(b) Section 24.112, relating to the 11th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 55th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.158. 56TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GALVESTON
COUNTY). (a) The 56th Judicial District is composed of Galveston
County.
(b) Section 24.111, relating to the 10th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 56th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.159. 57TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR
COUNTY). (a) The 57th Judicial District is composed of Bexar
County.
(b) Section 24.139, relating to the 37th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 57th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.160. 58TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (JEFFERSON
COUNTY). (a) The 58th Judicial District is composed of Jefferson
County.
(b) The 58th, 60th, and 136th district courts have
concurrent jurisdiction.
(c) The terms of the 58th and 60th district courts begin on
the first Mondays in January and July. The first term is designated
the January-June term, and the second term is designated the
July-December term.
(d) In all suits, actions, and proceedings, it is sufficient
for the address or designation to be "District Court of Jefferson
County."
(e) The 58th, 60th, and 136th district courts may sit at the
City of Port Arthur, in addition to Beaumont, to try, hear, and
determine nonjury cases and to hear and determine motions,
arguments, and the other nonjury matters that are within the
jurisdiction of the courts. The district clerk or his deputy serves
as clerk of a court when it sits in Port Arthur and may transfer all
necessary books, minutes, records, and papers to Port Arthur while
the court is in session there and transfer them from Port Arthur to
Beaumont at the end of each session in Port Arthur. The
Commissioners Court of Jefferson County may provide suitable
quarters in the subcourthouse in Port Arthur for a court while it
sits in Port Arthur. The Jefferson County sheriff or the sheriff's
deputy shall attend the courts in Port Arthur and perform all duties
required by law or court order.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.161. 59TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GRAYSON
COUNTY). (a) The 59th Judicial District is composed of Grayson
County.
(b) The terms of the 59th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
(c) The judge of the 59th District Court may impanel the
grand jury in Grayson County as provided by law for any terms of his
court that he considers proper.
(d) Section 24.116, relating to the 15th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 59th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.162. 60TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (JEFFERSON
COUNTY). (a) The 60th Judicial District is composed of Jefferson
County.
(b) Section 24.160, relating to the 58th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 60th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.163. 61ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS
COUNTY). (a) The 61st Judicial District is composed of Harris
County.
(b) Section 24.112, relating to the 11th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 61st
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.164. 62ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DELTA, FRANKLIN,
HOPKINS, AND LAMAR COUNTIES). (a) The 62nd Judicial District is
composed of Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, and Lamar counties.
(b) In any county in the district in which there are two or
more district courts, those district courts have concurrent
jurisdiction in that county.
(c) The terms of the 62nd District Court in each county
begin on the first Mondays in January and July.
(d) The judge of the 62nd District Court is not required to
impanel a grand jury in that court in any county of the district
unless the judge considers it necessary.
(e) Section 24.108, relating to the 8th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 62nd
District Court in Delta, Franklin, and Hopkins counties.
(f) Section 24.106, relating to the 6th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 62nd
District Court in Lamar County.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.165. 63RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EDWARDS, KINNEY,
TERRELL, AND VAL VERDE COUNTIES). (a) The 63rd Judicial District
is composed of Edwards, Kinney, Terrell, and Val Verde counties.
(b) The terms of the 63rd District Court begin:
(1) in Edwards County on the first Monday in May and
the third Monday in October;
(2) in Kinney County on the first Mondays in April and
October;
(3) in Terrell County on the first Monday in February
and the third Monday in August; and
(4) in Val Verde County on the first Mondays in January
and June.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.166. 64TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CASTRO, HALE, AND
SWISHER COUNTIES). (a) The 64th Judicial District is composed of
Castro, Hale, and Swisher counties.
(b) The terms of the 64th District Court in each county of
the district begin on the first Mondays in January and July and are
designated the January and July terms.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.167. 327TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO
COUNTY). (a) The 327th Judicial District is composed of El Paso
County.
(b) The terms of the 327th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in February, April, June, September, October, and December.
(c) Section 24.136, relating to the 34th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 327th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 317, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1996.
§ 24.168. 66TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HILL
COUNTY). (a) The 66th Judicial District is composed of Hill
County.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
66th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the County
Court of Hill County in all civil and criminal matters over which
the county court would have original or appellate jurisdiction.
The district court has control over the assignment of cases as
prescribed by Section 26.209.
(c) The terms of the 66th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.169. 67TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT
COUNTY). (a) The 67th Judicial District is composed of Tarrant
County.
(b) The terms of the 67th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in March, June, September, and December.
(c) Section 24.118, relating to the 17th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 67th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.170. 68TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAS
COUNTY). (a) The 68th Judicial District is composed of Dallas
County.
(b) The terms of the 68th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in February, May, September, and December.
(c) Section 24.115, relating to the 14th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 68th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.171. 69TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAM, HARTLEY,
MOORE, AND SHERMAN COUNTIES). (a) The 69th Judicial District is
composed of Dallam, Hartley, Moore, and Sherman counties.
(b) The terms of the 69th District Court begin:
(1) in Dallam County on the 16th Monday after the
second Mondays in January and July;
(2) in Hartley County on the 12th Monday after the
second Mondays in January and July;
(3) in Moore County on the 10th Monday after the second
Mondays in January and July; and
(4) in Sherman County on the 14th Monday after the
second Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.172. 70TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ECTOR
COUNTY). (a) The 70th Judicial District is composed of Ector
County.
(b) The terms of the 70th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
(c) The judges of the 70th and 118th district courts may
take a vacation and not attend court for six weeks in each year. The
judges, by agreement, shall take their vacations alternately so
that a judge is present in one of the courts at all times.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 880, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.
§ 24.173. 71ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRISON
COUNTY). (a) The 71st Judicial District is composed of Harrison
County.
(b) The terms of the 71st District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November and
continue until the Saturday before the next succeeding term begins
or until the court has disposed of the business for that term.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.174. 72ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CROSBY AND LUBBOCK
COUNTIES). (a) The 72nd Judicial District is composed of Crosby
and Lubbock counties.
(b) The terms of the 72nd District Court begin:
(1) in Crosby County on the second Mondays in May and
November; and
(2) in Lubbock County on the second Mondays in
February and August.
(c) The 72nd, 99th, 137th, and 140th district courts have
concurrent jurisdiction in Lubbock County.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.175. 73RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR
COUNTY). (a) The 73rd Judicial District is composed of Bexar
County.
(b) Section 24.139, relating to the 37th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 73rd
District Court.
(c) The 73rd District Court shall give preference to civil
cases and to cases and proceedings under Title 3, Family Code.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 67, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
§ 24.176. 74TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MCLENNAN
COUNTY). (a) The 74th Judicial District is composed of McLennan
County.
(b) The terms of the 74th District Court begin on the second
Mondays in February, April, June, August, October, and December.
(c) Section 24.120, relating to the 19th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 74th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.177. 75TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (LIBERTY
COUNTY). (a) The 75th Judicial District is composed of Liberty
County.
(b) The terms of the 75th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in April and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.178. 76TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMP, MORRIS, AND
TITUS COUNTIES). (a) The 76th Judicial District is composed of
Camp, Morris, and Titus counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Morris County has the civil jurisdiction of a
county court.
(c) In Camp and Morris counties, the 76th District Court and
the county court have concurrent jurisdiction over all original and
appellate criminal matters over which the county court has
jurisdiction under the constitution and laws of this state. In each
county, matters and proceedings in the concurrent jurisdiction of
the courts may be filed in or transferred between the 76th District
Court and the county court. All writs and processes issued and
bonds and recognizances made in transferred cases are returnable to
the court to which the case is transferred as if originally issued
in that court.
(d) In Camp, Morris, and Titus counties, the 76th District
Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the 276th District Court.
The judges of the courts may transfer any case to be tried in Camp
County, Morris County, or Titus County with the consent of the court
to which the case is to be transferred. Each judge may sit in the
other court without transferring the case.
(e) The terms of the 76th District Court begin:
(1) in Camp County on the first Mondays in March and
April;
(2) in Morris County on the first Mondays in January,
May, July, and November and the third Monday in September; and
(3) in Titus County on the first Mondays in February,
August, September, October, and December.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.179. 77TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FREESTONE AND
LIMESTONE COUNTIES). (a) The 77th Judicial District is composed
of Freestone and Limestone counties.
(b) The 77th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the 87th District Court in Freestone and Limestone counties.
(c) The terms of the 77th District Court begin:
(1) in Freestone County on the first Mondays in
February, May, August, and November; and
(2) in Limestone County on the first Mondays in
December, March, June, and September.
(d) The judge of the 77th District Court shall impanel grand
juries in Limestone County at the March and September terms and in
Freestone County at the May and November terms and at any other
terms of the court in each county as ordered by the judge.
(e) The clerk of the district courts in each of the counties
of Limestone and Freestone shall prepare civil, criminal, divorce,
and tax dockets for each district court and shall file each new case
in the court in which the party filing the case directed the clerk
to file it. Each criminal case shall be originally filed in the
court to which the indictment or information is returned. The
district clerk in each county shall place letters on the envelope
containing the file papers in each case after the number of the
case, designating by the letter "A" cases pending in the 77th
District Court and by the letter "B" cases pending in the 87th
District Court.
(f) The judges of the 77th and 87th judicial districts may,
in their discretion, either in termtime or in vacation, on motion of
any party, on agreement of the parties, or on their own motion to
facilitate the administration of justice or to equalize the case
load, transfer any civil or criminal cause on their dockets to the
docket of the other court. The transfer shall be entered on the
minutes of the court and the cause shall be tried and disposed of as
if it had been originally filed in that court. The transferring
court need not hold a formal proceeding to transfer a cause. The
receiving court need not receive the transcript of the transferred
cause to have jurisdiction over the cause.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.180. 78TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WICHITA
COUNTY). (a) The 78th Judicial District is composed of Wichita
County.
(b) The terms of the 78th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in March, June, September, and December.
(c) Section 24.132, relating to the 30th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 78th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.181. 79TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BROOKS AND JIM WELLS
COUNTIES). (a) The 79th Judicial District is composed of Brooks
and Jim Wells counties.
(b) The terms of the 79th District Court begin:
(1) in Brooks County at 10 a.m. on the first Mondays in
February and September; and
(2) in Jim Wells County at 10 a.m. on the first Mondays
in March and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.182. 80TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS
COUNTY). (a) The 80th Judicial District is composed of Harris
County.
(b) Section 24.112, relating to the 11th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 80th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.183. 81ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ATASCOSA, FRIO,
KARNES, LASALLE, AND WILSON COUNTIES). (a) The 81st Judicial
District is composed of Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, LaSalle, and Wilson
counties.
(b) The terms of the 81st District Court begin:
(1) in Atascosa County on the third Mondays in March
and September;
(2) in Frio County on the fourth Mondays in May and
November;
(3) in Karnes County on the first Mondays in May and
November;
(4) in LaSalle County on the first Mondays in March and
September; and
(5) in Wilson County on the second Mondays in April and
October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.184. 82ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FALLS AND ROBERTSON
COUNTIES). (a) The 82nd Judicial District is composed of Falls
and Robertson counties.
(b) The terms of the 82nd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.10(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987;
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 141, § 1, eff. May 25, 1989.
§ 24.185. 83RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PECOS, TERRELL, AND
VAL VERDE COUNTIES). (a) The 83rd Judicial District is composed
of Pecos, Terrell, and Val Verde counties.
(b) The 83rd and 112th district courts have concurrent
jurisdiction in Pecos County.
(c) The 83rd and 63rd district courts have concurrent
jurisdiction in Terrell and Val Verde counties.
(d) The terms of the 83rd District Court begin on the second
Monday in January and July.
(e) In each of the counties of Pecos, Terrell, and Val
Verde, a petition or other pleading filed in the district courts is
sufficient if addressed "To The District Court of Pecos County,
Texas,", "To The District Court of Terrell County, Texas,", or "To
The District Court of Val Verde County, Texas," respectively,
without giving the number of the district court in the address.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 509, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts
1995, 74th Leg., ch. 704, § 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999,
76th Leg., ch. 1337, § 18, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th
Leg., ch. 797, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch.
24, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 24.186. 84TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HANSFORD, HUTCHINSON,
AND OCHILTREE COUNTIES). (a) The 84th Judicial District is
composed of Hansford, Hutchinson, and Ochiltree counties.
(b) The terms of the 84th District Court begin:
(1) in Hansford County on the third Monday in March and
the second Monday in September;
(2) in Hutchinson County on the first Monday in June
and the fourth Monday in November; and
(3) in Ochiltree County on the fourth Monday in April
and the second Monday in October.
(c) Each term provided by Subsection (b) begins at 10 a.m.
on the first day of the term.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.187. 85TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZOS
COUNTY). (a) The 85th Judicial District is composed of Brazos
County.
(b) The 85th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction
with the statutory county courts of Brazos County in misdemeanor
cases as well as the jurisdiction prescribed by general law for
district courts.
(c) The terms of the 85th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in April and October.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 280, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 24.188. 86TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (KAUFMAN
COUNTY). (a) The 86th Judicial District is composed of Kaufman
County.
(b) The terms of the 86th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in February and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1124, § 3, eff. June 20, 1987.
§ 24.189. 87TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ANDERSON, FREESTONE,
LEON, AND LIMESTONE COUNTIES). (a) The 87th Judicial District is
composed of Anderson, Freestone, Leon, and Limestone counties.
(b) The terms of the 87th District Court begin:
(1) in Anderson County on the first Mondays in
February and August;
(2) in Freestone County on the first Mondays in
January, April, July, and October;
(3) in Leon County on the fifth Monday after the first
Mondays in May and November; and
(4) in Limestone County on the first Mondays in May and
November.
(c) The judge of the 87th District Court shall impanel grand
juries in Limestone County at the May and November terms and in
Freestone County at the January and July terms and at any other
terms of the court as ordered by the judge.
(d) Section 24.179, relating to the 77th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 87th
District Court in Freestone and Limestone counties.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.190. 88TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARDIN AND TYLER
COUNTIES). (a) The 88th Judicial District is composed of Hardin
and Tyler counties.
(b) The terms of the 88th District Court begin:
(1) in Hardin County on the first Mondays in April and
October; and
(2) in Tyler County on the first Mondays in June and
December.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.191. 89TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WICHITA
COUNTY). (a) The 89th Judicial District is composed of Wichita
County.
(b) The terms of the 89th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
(c) A grand jury may not be impaneled in the 89th District
Court unless the judge of that court calls for a grand jury by
special order on the minutes of the court.
(d) Section 24.132, relating to the 30th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 89th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.192. 90TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (STEPHENS AND YOUNG
COUNTIES). (a) The 90th Judicial District is composed of
Stephens and Young counties.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Stephens County has the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) The terms of the 90th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 230, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.
§ 24.193. 91ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EASTLAND
COUNTY). (a) The 91st Judicial District is composed of Eastland
County.
(b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each
district court in Eastland County has the civil jurisdiction of a
county court. The district court has concurrent with the county
court the criminal jurisdiction of a county court.
(c) The terms of the 91st District Court begin on the first
Mondays in February, April, June, August, October, and December.
(d) The 91st District Court may not impanel a grand jury
except by special order of the judge.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 15, § 1, eff. April 14, 1987.
§ 24.194. 92ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO
COUNTY). (a) The 92nd Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo
County.
(b) The 92nd, 93rd, and 139th district courts have
concurrent jurisdiction.
(c) The terms of the 92nd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.195. 93RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO
COUNTY). (a) The 93rd Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo
County.
(b) The terms of the 93rd District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
(c) Section 24.194, relating to the 92nd District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 93rd
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.196. 94TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (NUECES
COUNTY). (a) The 94th Judicial District is composed of Nueces
County.
(b) The terms of the 94th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July. The terms are designated the
January-July and July-January terms.
(c) Section 24.130, relating to the 28th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 94th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.197. 95TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAS
COUNTY). (a) The 95th Judicial District is composed of Dallas
County.
(b) The terms of the 95th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in March, June, September, and December.
(c) Section 24.115, relating to the 14th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 95th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.198. 96TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT
COUNTY). (a) The 96th Judicial District is composed of Tarrant
County.
(b) Section 24.118, relating to the 17th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 96th
Judicial District.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.199. 97TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ARCHER, CLAY, AND
MONTAGUE COUNTIES). (a) The 97th Judicial District is composed
of Archer, Clay, and Montague counties.
(b) The terms of the 97th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.11(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
§ 24.200. 98TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS
COUNTY). (a) The 98th Judicial District is composed of Travis
County.
(b) The terms of the 98th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in February, April, June, October, and December.
(c) Section 24.155, relating to the 53rd District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 98th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.201. 99TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (LUBBOCK
COUNTY). (a) The 99th Judicial District is composed of Lubbock
County.
(b) The terms of the 99th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
(c) Section 24.174, relating to the 72nd District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 99th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.202. 100TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CARSON, CHILDRESS,
COLLINGSWORTH, DONLEY, AND HALL COUNTIES). (a) The 100th
Judicial District is composed of Carson, Childress, Collingsworth,
Donley, and Hall counties.
(b) The terms of the 100th District Court begin:
(1) in Carson County on the first Mondays in January
and August;
(2) in Childress County on the first Mondays in May and
December;
(3) in Collingsworth County on the first Mondays in
April and November;
(4) in Donley County on the first Mondays in March and
October; and
(5) in Hall County on the first Mondays in February and
September.
(c) Each term provided by Subsection (b) begins at 10 a.m.
on the first day of the term.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.203. 101ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAS
COUNTY). (a) The 101st Judicial District is composed of Dallas
County.
(b) The terms of the 101st District Court begin on the first
Mondays in March, June, September, and December.
(c) Section 24.115, relating to the 14th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 101st
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.204. 102ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BOWIE AND RED RIVER
COUNTIES). (a) The 102nd Judicial District is composed of Bowie
and Red River counties.
(b) The terms of the 102nd District Court begin:
(1) in Bowie County on the first Mondays in January and
July; and
(2) in Red River County on the first Mondays in
February, May, August, and November.
(c) Section 24.105, relating to the 5th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 102nd
District Court in Bowie County.
(d) Section 24.106, relating to the 6th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 102nd
District Court in Red River County.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended
by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1012, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 24.205. 103RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON AND WILLACY
COUNTIES). (a) The 103rd Judicial District is composed of
Cameron and Willacy counties. The court shall give preference to
civil cases.
(b) The 103rd, 107th, and 138th district courts have
concurrent jurisdiction.
(c) The terms of the 103rd District Court begin:
(1) in Cameron County on the first Mondays in February
and July; and
(2) in Willacy County on the first Mondays in January
and June.
(d) The judges of the 103rd and 107th district courts need
not impanel grand juries except in cases of emergency.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.206. 104TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TAYLOR
COUNTY). (a) The 104th Judicial District is composed of Taylor
County.
(b) The terms of the 104th District Court begin on the 11th
and 24th Mondays after the first Monday in January and the ninth
Monday after the first Monday in September.
(c) The commissioners court shall provide suitable quarters
in the county courthouse for the court and the officers of the
court.
(d) Section 24.144, relating to the 42nd District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 104th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.207. 105TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (KENEDY, KLEBERG, AND
NUECES COUNTIES). (a) The 105th Judicial District is composed of
Kenedy, Kleberg, and Nueces counties. The court shall give
preference to criminal cases.
(b) The terms of the 105th District Court begin:
(1) in Kenedy County on the first Mondays in June and
December;
(2) in Kleberg County on the first Mondays in April and
October; and
(3) in Nueces County on the first Mondays in February
and August.
(c) The judge, with the approval of the commissioners court,
may appoint an official interpreter of the court in Nueces County
who serves at the will of the judge. The official interpreter shall
take both the constitutional oath of office and an oath that he will
faithfully interpret all testimony in the district court as
official interpreter. The oath is sufficient for his service as
official interpreter in all cases in the court in Nueces County
during the interpreter's term of office. The judge may also assign
the official interpreter to assist the court's probation officer in
the discharge of the probation officer's duties.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.208. 106TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DAWSON, GAINES,
GARZA, AND LYNN COUNTIES). (a) The 106th Judicial District is
composed of Dawson, Gaines, Garza, and Lynn counties.
(b) The terms of the 106th District Court begin:
(1) in Dawson County on the third Monday in February
and the second Monday in September;
(2) in Gaines County on the first Mondays in April and
October;
(3) in Garza County on the first Monday in March and
the fourth Monday in September; and
(4) in Lynn County on the first Monday in February and
the third Monday in September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.209. 107TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON AND WILLACY
COUNTIES). (a) The 107th Judicial District is composed of
Cameron and Willacy counties. The court shall give preference to
criminal cases.
(b) The terms of the 107th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January and July.
(c) Section 24.205, relating to the 103rd District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 107th
District Court.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.210. 108TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (POTTER
COUNTY). (a) The 108th Judicial District is composed of Potter
County.
(b) The terms of the 108th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, May, and September.
(c) Section 24.149, relating to the 47th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 108th
District Court in Potter County.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.211. 109TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ANDREWS, CRANE, AND
WINKLER COUNTIES). (a) The 109th Judicial District is composed
of Andrews, Crane, and Winkler counties.
(b) The terms of the 109th District Court begin:
(1) in Andrews County on the second Monday in January
and the first Monday in July;
(2) in Crane County on the first Mondays in February
and August; and
(3) in Winkler County on the first Monday in March and
the second Monday in September.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.212. 110TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRISCOE, DICKENS,
FLOYD, AND MOTLEY COUNTIES). (a) The 110th Judicial District is
composed of Briscoe, Dickens, Floyd, and Motley counties.
(b) The terms of the 110th District Court begin:
(1) in Briscoe County on the first Mondays in January
and June;
(2) in Dickens County on the first Mondays in April and
November;
(3) in Floyd County on the first Mondays in February
and July; and
(4) in Motley County on the first Mondays in March and
August.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.213. 111TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WEBB
COUNTY). (a) The 111th Judicial District is composed of Webb
County.
(b) The terms of the 111th District Court begin on the first
Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
(c) The judge of the 111th District Court may not impanel
grand juries unless he considers it necessary.
(d) Section 24.151, relating to the 49th District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 111th
District Court in Webb County.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.
§ 24.214. 112TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CROCKETT, PECOS,
REAGAN, SUTTON, AND UPTON COUNTIES). (a) The 112th Judicial
District is composed of Crockett, Pecos, Reagan, Sutton, and Upton
counties.
(b) The terms of the 112th District Court begin:
(1) in Crockett County on the first Monday in April and
the third Monday in September;
(2) in Pecos County on the first Mondays in January,
May, and November and the second Monday in July;
(3) in Reagan County on the first Mondays in March and
October;
(4) in Sutton County on the third Monday in March and
the first Monday in September; and
(5) in Upton County on the first Monday in February and
the second Monday in June.
(c) Section 24.185, relating to the 83rd District Court,
contains provisions applicable to both that court and the
