From traffic tickets to felony appeals: Harris County’s 2024 judicial elections explained
By the time you hit the judicial contests on your ballot in November, voting fatigue may have already kicked in.
Trying to sort through dozens of races for state appeals courts, district courts and county courts, not to mention justice of the peace contests, is enough to make your head spin.
Yet, these courts often end up being the part of local government that thousands of Harris County residents come in contact with most each year, from traffic tickets and evictions to lawsuits and criminal proceedings.
Here's what they do and why they matter.
First District Court of AppealsThe First District Court of Appeals, as its name suggests, is an appellate court hearing cases from across a 10-county region that includes Harris County.
The justices hear both civil and criminal appeals from district and county courts in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller and Washington counties.
The justices also hear cases involving "extraordinary relief," a special type of legal solution that is only used in rare situations where a standard remedy, such as monetary damages or an injunction, cannot adequately address a problem.
The court of appeals, for more than 90 percent of legal cases in Texas, is your legal last resort. The Texas Supreme Court chooses to hear less than 10 percent of appeals annually.
The court is composed of a chief justice and eight associate justices, each elected to a six-year term.
There are five First District Court of Appeals justice positions up for election this year. Candidates must be at least 35, licensed to practice law in Texas, and have practiced law here for at least 10 years.
The First and 14th courts of appeals share the same duties. They both hear appellate proceedings from lower courts and original proceedings involving extraordinary relief.
The 1st and 14th Districts also share the same geographic area, hearing cases from Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller and Washington counties.
The court is composed of a chief justice and eight associate justices, each elected to a six-year term.
There are five 14th District Court of Appeals Justice positions on the ballot this year. Candidates must be at least 35, licensed to practice law in Texas, and have practiced law here for at least 10 years.
Harris County state district courtsThere are 64 state district courts in Harris County, divided into civil, criminal, family and juvenile jurisdictions.
District court judges hear a wide range of cases, including felony crimes, divorce proceedings, land title issues, election contests and civil matters involving $200 or more.
Of the 64 district court benches in Harris County, 27 are on the ballot this November. Candidates must be at least 25, licensed to practice law in Texas for at least four years, and Harris County residents for at least two years. Judicial vacancies in district courts are filled by appointment of the governor.
Harris County courts at lawThere are 20 Harris County courts at law – 16 dealing with criminal matters and four tasked with hearing civil cases. They typically handle mid-level cases that do not rise to district court jurisdiction.
Criminal court at law judges hear misdemeanor cases in which the potential fine exceeds $500, or the potential time in county jail does not exceed one year. Criminal judges also hear appeals from Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts.
Civil court at law judges hear cases involving up to $250,000. They also hear myriad property-related cases and civil appeals from justice of the peace courts and municipal courts.
Only one county court at law bench – Criminal Court 16 – is up for election this year. Judges in Harris County courts at law, elected to four-year terms, must be at least 25, licensed to practice law in Texas for at least four years, and Harris County residents for at least two years.
Probate courtsProbate courts are highly specialized courts helping people when a loved one has died or becomes disabled. The state of Texas has only 24 probate courts in 12 of its largest counties, with five located in Harris County.
Probate court judges hear cases involving the estate of a dead person, guardianships, trusts and mental health matters.
Only one Probate court bench – Probate Court 5 – is up for election this November.
Judges in Harris County probate courts must be at least 25, licensed to practice law in Texas for at least five years, and county residents for at least two years.
Justice of the Peace courtsHarris County has eight justice of the peace precincts, each with two courts.
Justices of the peace hear low-level misdemeanor criminal cases and minor civil and small claims matters. They also can issue search warrants and perform marriages.
Eight of Harris County's 16 justice of peace benches are up for election this November.
Elected to four-year terms, justices of the peace must be at least 18, Texas residents for at least 12 months, and Harris County residents for at least six months. They are not required to hold law degrees.
