{"id":376544,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/houston-courthouses.html"},"modified":"2023-06-19T14:40:21","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T19:40:21","slug":"houston-courthouses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/houston-courthouses.html","title":{"rendered":"Houston Courthouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Houston Courthouses<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Houston. It\u2019s the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the United States boasting a population of over 2 million people. The city is notable for many things — Sam Houston<\/a>, the Port of Houston<\/a>, the Houston Astros, Texans<\/a>, and Rockets, an eclectic theater district<\/a>, the NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center<\/a> and the Apollo Program<\/a> (\u201cHouston, we have a problem.\u201d), and also a very expansive court system.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re a Texan living in the \u201cBayou City,\u201d you know there are a myriad of courthouses in Harris County.  If you have a criminal, civil, probate or family law matter, it\u2019s likely in one of the district or county courts. <\/p>\r\n

Here we\u2019ve highlighted five key court systems you\u2019ll most likely encounter: Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas at Houston<\/a>, the Harris District, County, and Justice of the Peace Courts<\/a>, the U.S District Court for the Southern District of Texas<\/a>, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court<\/a>, the U.S. Tax Court<\/a>, and the Houston Immigration Court operated by the Department of Justice<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Harris County State Courts<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    301 Fannin Street Room 245<\/p>\n \n

    \n Houston,<\/span>\n TX<\/span>\n 77002<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (713) 274-2700\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Parking: Here\u2019s a list<\/a> of parking garages near the court. You are strongly encouraged to take public transportation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/u><\/b> This state appeals court has jurisdiction from both district and county courts located in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington counties. The Court hears both civil and criminal appeals. If you are requesting an appeal, call the courthouse directly or seek legal assistance.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Harris County New Civil Courthouse\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    201 Caroline Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Houston,<\/span>\n TX<\/span>\n 77002<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (713) 755-7300\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Divisions: Civil<\/a> District Courts, Tax Court, Family District Court<\/a>, Probate<\/a>, and County Courts<\/p>\n

    Parking: Parking is extremely limited.  If you are here for jury service<\/a> park the at the garage located at 1401 Congress. You are strongly encouraged to take public transportation<\/a>. It\u2019s free for those summons for jury duty.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Harris County Criminal Justice Center\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1201 Franklin Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n Houston,<\/span>\n TX<\/span>\n 77002<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (713) 755-7300\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Divisions: Criminal District<\/a> and County<\/a> cases<\/p>\n

    Parking: Parking is extremely limited.  If you are here for jury service<\/a> park the at the garage located at 1401 Congress. You are strongly encouraged to take public transportation<\/a>. It\u2019s free for those summons for jury duty.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

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    \n \n Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n

    \n Harris County,<\/span>\n TX<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    These are the lower courts in Harris County. There are eight different precincts with 16 separate judge. These courts handle traffic<\/a>, criminal<\/a> cases punishable by a fine only, bad check<\/a> cases, small claims civil cases where the amount in controversy is $200 or less, eviction<\/a>, and truancy<\/a>. The Justice of the Peace also performs civil marriages<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Federal Courts<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n United States Courthouse\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    515 Rusk Avenue<\/p>\n \n

    \n Houston,<\/span>\n TX<\/span>\n 77002<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (713) 250-5500\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Note: This court handles all federal cases. If you have a criminal matter you may contact the Federal Prosecutor<\/a> or the Federal Public Defender.<\/a> This location also houses the U.S. Bankruptcy Court<\/a> and the U.S. Tax Court<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Parking: Parking is extremely limited. The Theater District Parking Garage next to the U.S. Courthouse is the most convenient parking location. You are strongly encouraged to take public transportation<\/a>. It\u2019s free for those summons for jury duty. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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    Immigration Court<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
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    \n \n Houston Immigration Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    600 Jefferson Street, Suite 900<\/p>\n \n

    \n Houston,<\/span>\n TX<\/span>\n 77002<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (214) 767-1814\n \n \n <\/p>\n

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    Parking: Parking is extremely limited. You are strongly encouraged to take public transportation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/u><\/b> This location handles all immigration cases. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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