What is the difference between city and county court

The Texas Constitution provides for a county court in each of the counties of the state, though all such courts do not exercise judicial functions. In the more populous counties, the county judge may devote his or her full attention to the administration of county government.

The constitutional county courts have original jurisdiction over all criminal cases involving Class A and Class B misdemeanors, which are the more serious minor offenses. These courts usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts, except in counties where county courts at law have been established.

Because the Constitution limits each county to a single county court, the Legislature has created statutory county courts at law in more populous counties to aid the single county court in its judicial functions. The legal jurisdiction of the special county-level trial courts varies considerably and is established by the statute which creates the particular court.

The jurisdiction of statutorily-created county courts at law may be concurrent with the jurisdiction of the county and district courts in the county. The civil jurisdiction of most county courts at law varies but is usually more than that of the justice of the peace courts and less than that of the district courts. County courts at law usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts.

In the more populated counties, the Legislature has created specialized probate courts to hear probate matters exclusively. Our work spans 12 district courts, 4 juvenile courts, and 2 superior courts.

Our core mission is to protect and serve the people who work, live and raise their families in Middlesex County. Learn More. They hear some civil and juvenile cases, as well.

Although municipal courts have a limited jurisdiction, they are able to solve most cases without escalating them to a higher level of court. Because I work as a municipal court defense lawyer, most of my clients and cases will stay at this level. Most cases that involve violation of state laws are tried in state courts. State courts can hear both criminal and civil cases, but criminal cases involving federal laws are tried in state courts. Most criminal and some civil cases, including mid- and high-level crimes, are tried in state courts.

In many cases, the federal court system and the state court system both have jurisdiction so that cases can be escalated to federal courts when there is a dispute involving constitutional law. District courts have jurisdiction to issue domestic violence and antiharassment protection orders and no-contact orders.

They also have jurisdiction to hear change-of-name petitions and certain lien foreclosures. More information on these procedures can be obtained by contacting your local district court. These are filed and heard in the Small Claims Department of the district court. Generally, each party is self-represented--attorneys are not permitted except with the permission of the judge. Witnesses may not be subpoenaed, but may be allowed to voluntarily testify for a party. The district court clerk can provide specific information about filing a claim.

Violations of municipal or city ordinances are heard in municipal courts. A municipal court's authority over these ordinance violations is similar to the authority that district courts have over state law violations. The ordinance violation must have occurred within the boundaries of the municipality.

Like district courts, municipal courts only have jurisdiction over gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and infractions. Municipal courts do not accept civil or small claims cases. As with district courts, municipal courts can issue domestic violence protection orders and no-contact orders.

A municipal court can issue antiharassment protection orders upon adoption of a local court rule establishing that process. In addition to a municipal court, cities can establish traffic violation bureaus or TVBs.