TOPIC

JUSTICE COURT

SMALL CLAIMS COURT

JURISDICTION

AMOUNT

$10,000.00 exclusive of interest (G.C. 27.031)

$10,000.00 including interest (G.C. 28.003)

TYPE OF CASE

AUTHORIZED
A. civil matters within jurisdictional amount
B. forcible entry & detainer
C. foreclosure of mortgage and enforce lien on personal property

AUTHORIZED
A. action for recovery of  money only

PROHIBITED
A. suit by state to recover penalty, forfeiture or escheat
B. divorce
C. slander and deformation suits
D. suit for trial of title to land
E. foreclosure lien on land

PROHIBITED
A. by assignee of claim
B. person primarily engaged in business of loaning money at interest
C. collection agency or agent

FILING FEE

$17.00 plus costs of service

$12.00 plus costs of service

VENUE

15.082 TO 15.097 (CP&RC)
1. generally county and precinct where one or more defendants reside
2. 14 exceptions

28.011 Government Code
1. County and precinct where defendant lives
2. Where the defendant has contracted to perform

PLEADING

Petition may be oral; the answer And all other pleadings written Rule 525 & 534

Petition must be sworn (G.C. 28.012); all other pleadings may be informal (G.C. 28.033), Except motion to change venue (G.C. 28.014)

WRITS
1. EXECUTION
2. ATTACHMENT
3. SEQUESTRATION

 
YES
YES
YES

 
YES
NO
NO

ATTORNEYS

1. for individual party may appear

1. for individual party may appear

2. for corporation must appear

2. for corporation may appear not required (G.C. 28.003f)

DUTY OF JUDGE

uphold and enforce the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas 

1. develop the facts of the case (G.C. 28.034)
2. May question witnesses (G.C. 28.034)
3. May summons witnesses(G.C. 28.034)
4. render judgment as the justice of the case requires (G.C. 28.051)
5. sole objective to dispense speedy justice (G.C. 28.033)

CONTINUANCE

for good cause shown and affidavit Rule 541

"only for good cause shown" (G.C. 28.032)

DISCOVERY

YES

limited, with prior court approval (G.C. 28.033e)

JURY TRIAL

YES

YES

TRIALS & HEARINGS

FORMAL – must follow R.C.P.

INFORMAL

RULES OF EVIDENCE

APPLY (R.O.E. 101)

does not apply (R.O.E. 101)

APPEAL

YES

If in excess of $20.00 – yes then just like justice court

G.C. = Government Code

CP&RC = Civil Practice and Remedy Code

R.O.E. = Rules of Evidence

R.C.P. = Rules of Civil Procedure