Loading…
The pro-se information sheet used by the Wichita County Justice of the Peace courts: the ex parte prohibition, the duty to serve copies of every filing, sanctions for violations, and legal-aid resources.
Applies to self-represented litigants in the Wichita County Justice of the Peace courts (posted on all five JP precinct pages; captioned for Precinct 1 Place 1).
A 'Pro Se' litigant (plaintiff or defendant) does not retain an attorney and appears for himself. Small-claims procedures are governed by the Texas Government Code, and Justice Court cases by the Texas Rules of Court (including the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Evidence); evictions and other civil matters are also governed by the Texas Property Code, and a pro se party is expected to know and follow all rules that apply. A party is prohibited from any 'ex parte' contact with the judge — phone calls, letters, messages, faxes, e-mails, and direct or indirect conversations — unless all parties or their attorneys are present; formal pleadings, motions and requests for relief filed with the clerk are not prohibited communication. For every pleading filed, the party must send a copy to the opposing party's attorney, or to the opposing party if unrepresented. The judge, court clerk and opposing attorney cannot give legal advice, and violations may result in severe sanctions. Legal Aid of Northwest Texas and the Wichita County Bar Association are listed as resources.
A 'Pro Se' litigant (plaintiff or defendant) does not retain an attorney and appears for himself. Small-claims procedures are governed by the Texas Government Code, and Justice Court cases by the Texas Rules of Court (including the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Evidence); evictions and other civil matters are also governed by the Texas Property Code, and a pro se party is expected to k
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-09-06 from the county-site scan (image-only, read in full). Captioned 'Precinct 1 Place 1' but linked from all five JP precinct pages — composed as a court-less JP-family rule.
In justice-court eviction cases: the citation sets a personal-appearance trial day not less than 10 nor more than 21 days after the petition is filed; a written answer is permitted but NOT required (appearing on the trial day is what matters); no trial may be held until 4 days after service; and an appeal must be perfected within 5 days after the judgment is signed.
Policy Regarding Pro Se Applicants — Harris County Probate Courts (Probate Court No. 1 posting) — posted on the court's own website — the court-procedure tier (standing procedures, policies, and preferences the court itself publishes), distinct from the TOPICs-registered local-rules tier (TRCP 3a registration applies to local rules). Operative requirements quoted verbatim; the posted document is the controlling text.