Code of Criminal Procedure · Art. 4.11

Jurisdiction of Justice Court

Jurisdiction of Justice Court is covered under Art. 4.11 and tested on the TCOLE peace officer licensing exam. Cadets typically encounter this topic under "Procedure" on practice exams.

To prove this offense, the State must establish each of the following elements: Class C: justice or municipal court; Class A and B: county court (or county court at law); Felonies: district court.

Elements you must prove

  • Class C: justice or municipal court
  • Class A and B: county court (or county court at law)
  • Felonies: district court

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

Texas misdemeanor cases involving up to a $500 fine (Class C) are originally tried in:

  1. District court
  2. Justice court or municipal court Correct
  3. Court of criminal appeals
  4. County court at law
Why: Class C misdemeanors are tried in justice courts (state offenses) or municipal courts (city ordinance violations and Class C state offenses occurring within the municipality). Class A and B misdemeanors are tried in county courts; felonies in district courts.
Statute: Tex. Const. art. V; Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 4.11/4.14