County Justices of the Peace

The offices of the Justice of the Peace Precincts One, Two, Three, and Four were created by the Constitution of the State of Texas. A Texas Justice of the Peace (JP) serves as a key figure in the state's judicial system, especially at the local level. They preside over Justice Courts, handling small claims cases involving disputes up to $20,000, landlord-tenant issues such as evictions, traffic violations, and Class C misdemeanors. In addition to their courtroom duties, a JP performs magistrate functions like issuing warrants and conducting preliminary hearings. They also have ceremonial and administrative roles, including officiating weddings and, in some counties, acting as the coroner when no medical examiner is available. As elected officials, Justices of the Peace typically serve four-year terms and are not required to have a law degree, though they do receive judicial training. Their accessibility and broad range of responsibilities make them especially important in rural communities across Texas. 

Criminal Cases / Traffic Citations

Respond to a criminal charge or citation

To respond to a charge or traffic citation, you must submit a written plea regarding the alleged offense by the 'on or before' date on your citation. Use a form below to submit your plea to the corresponding Precinct listed on your citation.


Pay a traffic ticket/citation

Visit the Justices of the Peace online payment center or select the County Justice of the Peace Precinct in which your citation was issued. Precinct information is listed on the citation. 

  • Note: Submitting full payment for your fine and costs constitutes a plea of ‘No Contest’ and the offense will be reported as a conviction.  
  • Payments submitted to the incorrect court will result in processing delays while the payment is transferred to the correct court.

Need more options?  

Visit our Criminal Cases - Traffic Citations page for detailed information on entering a plea, taking a Driving Safety Course, requesting a payment plan, and more. 

Civil Cases 

File a Small Claims or Eviction Case

Each Justice Court Precinct handles filings based on case-specific criteria. Prior to filing a civil suit—including small claims, evictions, or other matters—please visit the Small Claims Information page or the Evictions Information page to determine where and how to file. 

Notice

In accordance with the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, Justices of the Peace and court staff are strictly prohibited from engaging in ex parte communications—any communication about a pending case with one party without the presence or knowledge of the other parties involved. This rule ensures fairness, impartiality, and public confidence in the judicial process. All communications regarding a case must be made through proper legal channels and must be accessible to all parties to preserve the integrity of the court.

Do not attempt to contact a Judge by mail, email, phone, or in person about pending criminal or civil matters. Doing so may be considered ex parte communication and could result in serious consequences.