Texas Justice Court
Start Here
If you searched for Texas small claims court, start by learning the Justice Court case types and the local details that can change by county.
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
- Do not assume every Justice Court civil dispute is a small claims case.
- This site is Texas-specific and does not cover county court, district court, federal court, or other states.
Step-by-Step Starting Point
- 1Identify whether your matter is small claims, debt claim, repair and remedy, or eviction.
- 2Find the correct county and precinct before using a form.
- 3Check filing fees, service fees, accepted filing methods, and court closures.
- 4Read your citation, judgment, lease, contract, and local court page carefully.
What this site covers
Texas Justice Courts handle several civil case types that people often group under the phrase small claims court.
The site focuses on user tasks: choosing a case type, finding the correct court, checking fees and deadlines, preparing forms and evidence, responding to a suit, and understanding appeals or judgment collection.
What this site does not do
It does not tell you whether to sue, settle, appeal, request a jury, or use a particular legal strategy.
It does not replace local court instructions. Your county JP page, citation, judgment, and court order control the operational details.
Quick Paths
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.