Texas Justice Court
I Was Sued in Justice Court
Start with the citation. It identifies the court, case, parties, deadline or hearing information, and next required steps.
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
- Ignoring a lawsuit can lead to default judgment.
- Eviction cases move faster than ordinary Justice Court civil cases.
Step-by-Step Starting Point
- 1Read the citation and petition.
- 2Identify whether the case is eviction or non-eviction.
- 3Calendar the answer deadline or trial setting.
- 4File with the court that issued the citation unless appeal or transfer rules apply.
- 5Keep stamped copies and send required copies to the other side.
- 6Attend the hearing unless the court has reset it.
Things to check early
Look for the plaintiff name, defendant name, court precinct, cause number, service date, trial date, and any attached documents.
If the case is a debt claim, protected income and exempt property may matter after judgment, but they do not mean you can ignore the lawsuit.
Deadline Calculator
Estimate answer, jury-request, and appeal dates from the dates you enter.
If a calculated date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or day the court is closed, the deadline generally extends to the next business day. This tool does not adjust for weekends or closures — confirm the actual due date with the court.
Answer
Estimated non-eviction answer date: Enter a date.
Jury request
Estimated jury request deadline: Enter a date.
Non-eviction cases generally use 14 days before trial, with a $22 fee unless costs are waived.
Appeal
Estimated appeal deadline: Enter a date.
Non-eviction appeals are generally 21 days after judgment.
Printable Case Packet Checklist
Build a starter checklist for filing or responding.
Checklist
Case packet checklist Case type: Small claims Role: May file a case Starter items: - Petition or complaint form - Service request and defendant address - Filing and service fee or Statement of Inability - Evidence and damages worksheet Forms / source checks: - Small Claims Petition: Use the county JP form first, then a statewide self-help packet if no local form is available. - Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond: Approved Texas form through TexasLawHelp or the county JP page. - Jury Demand: County form if provided. Verification: - Official county JP page and fee page saved or printed. - Last-reviewed date and source URL checked before filing. - County packets can require additional forms, copies, or evidence attachments. - This checklist is not legal advice.
Templates & kits for this task
Hearing Prep Pack
$19Walk into your JP court hearing organized, not overwhelmed.
Full Texas Small Claims Starter Kit
$49Every template and guide, from first demand letter to collecting a judgment.
Self-help templates, not legal advice. County court forms always come first when your JP court publishes one.