Texas Justice Court
Which Justice Court Case Type Fits My Problem?
Texas Justice Court has multiple civil lanes. Choosing the wrong lane can mean the wrong form, wrong deadline, or wrong precinct.
Legal information only: This site provides legal information for Texas Justice Court users. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not replace advice from a licensed Texas attorney or instructions from your court. County and precinct practices vary. Filing methods, local forms, service fees, court closures, and clerk procedures can change. Always verify details with the correct Justice of the Peace court before filing or relying on a deadline.
Important
- The tool below says what may fit. It does not tell you what you should file.
The four common Justice Court lanes
Small claims is the general lane for many money, personal property, or civil penalty disputes within the Justice Court cap.
Debt claims are narrower and usually involve debt buyers, assignees, collection agencies, financial institutions, or lenders.
Repair and remedy is for a residential tenant asking for repair-related relief under Property Code Chapter 92.
Eviction is for possession of real property and has its own fast procedure.
Case Type Comparison
Small claims
JP courtA general Justice Court civil case for money damages, civil penalties, personal property, or other relief allowed by law.
Generally up to $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees if any.
Debt claims
JP courtA Justice Court case to recover a debt brought by a debt buyer, assignee, collection agency, financial institution, or person/entity primarily engaged in lending money at interest.
Generally up to $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees if any.
Repair and remedy
JP courtA fast-track case for a residential tenant asking the court to enforce a landlord repair duty for conditions that materially affect physical health or safety.
Justice Court relief is capped at $20,000 excluding interest and court costs, including any repair order value.
Evictions
JP courtA separate Justice Court lane for recovering possession of real property. Rent can be joined only within the Justice Court rent limit.
Possession is the main issue. Rent may be joined if the unpaid rent claim is not more than $20,000, excluding statutory interest and costs but including attorney fees if any.
Case Type Finder
Answer a few screening questions to see which Texas Justice Court case type may fit. This is a guide to labels, not legal advice.
This commonly points to: Small claims
A general Justice Court civil case for money damages, civil penalties, personal property, or other relief allowed by law.
- A general money, property, or civil penalty dispute commonly points to the small claims lane if it fits Justice Court limits.
Verify the case type and form with the county JP court before filing or responding.
Other possibilities to check
- Debt claims: A Justice Court case to recover a debt brought by a debt buyer, assignee, collection agency, financial institution, or person/entity primarily engaged in lending money at interest.
- Repair and remedy: A fast-track case for a residential tenant asking the court to enforce a landlord repair duty for conditions that materially affect physical health or safety.
- Evictions: A separate Justice Court lane for recovering possession of real property. Rent can be joined only within the Justice Court rent limit.