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The county-wide JP local rules (Gov't Code § 27.061, CPRC § 15.0821, C.C.P. art. 4.12): organization by precinct, bench-exchange policy, civil filing/setting/continuance/conflict rules, DWOP procedures, criminal filing and transfer rules, first appearance, fine-only counsel rule, magistration duties, administrative jurisdiction, and decorum (including the recording prohibition). The governing edition is the April 12, 2022 amendment (TOPICs reg. doc. 816); the 2021-amended print posted on the JP information page is a superseded edition.
Texas > Brazoria County > Justice of the Peace Courts (all precincts)
"In accordance with provisions of Section 27.061 of the Texas Government Code, requiring the justices of the peace in each county to adopt local rules of administration and Section 15.0821 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, requiring the transfer of pending civil case from one precinct to a different precinct, and Article 4.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure … the Justices of the Peace in Brazoria County adopt local rules to provide for administration of cases and for the assignment, docketing, transfer and hearing of cases." Jurisdiction: justice civil cases (small claims, debt claims, evictions, repair-and-remedy) within the statutory limits; ODL hearings; administrative hearings; inquests; fine-only criminal offenses; animal cruelty; peace bonds. Organization: "Each Justice Court in Brazoria County has a specific geographical area of jurisdiction. Precinct One serves the south and southeastern part; Precinct Two serves the central part; Precinct 3 serves the northern and northwestern part; Precinct Four serves the western part." Bench exchange: "when a judge is on vacation, at a judicial or educational conference, or has medical or dental needs, it is the policy of the Justice Courts to have another Brazoria County Justice of the Peace, exchange benches whenever possible." Civil: filing per TRCP Part V; copies fees "$1.00 for a titled document's first page and $0.25 for each additional page"; continuances "must be submitted in writing to the court at least three (3) business days preceding the date of the trial or hearing"; attorney-conflict priority ladder — "(1) Jury Trials (2) Criminal Cases (3) Cases given preference by statute (4) Cases with the earliest filing date"; withdrawal only on written motion for good cause; "Unless written permission is obtained from the Justice of the Peace, recording or broadcasting of court proceedings is prohibited"; venue transfers per TRCP Part V with the transfer-order delivery requirement. DWOP: cases eligible sua sponte after "more than 120 days in which no answer has been filed" or "more than 12 months … not set for trial … no filings or settings within the prior 180 days"; motions to retain due "at least 10 business days prior" to the dismissal date; objections within 3 days. Criminal: filing in the precinct of the offense or of the defendant's residence; transfer and disqualification mechanics (including bench exchange); "defendants will appear at the Justice of the Peace Court in which the case is filed, according to the date and location written on their citation or summons"; "Indigent defendants are not entitled to a court appointed attorney, as a matter of law, when charged with a fine-only offense"; pretrial conferences monthly (or twice monthly on necessity); jury waiver at docket call requires a written signed waiver; pleas of guilty/nolo may be entered at any time with a standard fine assessment maintained; magistration duties per the code. Registered instrument (28 pp.): https://topics.txcourts.gov/LocalRulesPublic/PreviewAttachment/816
Establishes a Traffic Violations Bureau within the Clerk of the County Court under Fla. R. Traf. Ct. 6.100(a) (Burnstein, C.J., Nov. 1, 1988).
Approves the National Highway Safety Council Defensive Driving course as a school to which traffic courts may require attendance (Fla. R. Traf. Ct. 6.110(a)).
Designates the D.W.I. Counterattack School (Broward County Commission on Alcoholism) as an approved school for court-ordered attendance (Fla. R. Traf. Ct. 6.110(a)).