Cameron County Small Claims Court, Texas

Can I appeal my case?

Appeals are allowed if the amount of the award exceeds $250.00.

Can I file my case in small claims court?

The plaintiff’s demand for money cannot exceed $10,000. (Texas Government Code 28.093). Additionally, a small claims court plaintiff can only ask the court for monetary relief. You cannot seek injunctive relief. Say your landscaper breaks a sprinkler head. You can ask the court for money to replace the sprinkler head, but you cannot ask the court for an order requiring the landscaper to physically replace the sprinkler head. This would be called injunctive relief.

Who is the judge in a Small Claims Court case?

The justice of the peace for Cameron County presides over small claims court actions for Cameron County.

What can I expect at trial?

Unlike regular civil trials, small claims court rules do not follow the Rules of Evidence. There are no rules of evidence. Furthermore, the judge is allowed and often ask questions of witnesses and parties to help understand the facts of a case. It will likely be pretty quick. A jury trial will likely last longer, probably a few hours.

Where do I file my small claims court case?

In order to follow correct procedure, a small claims case needs to be filed in the proper county and precinct. In Texas, the action is filed in the County and Precinct where the defendants reside or where a contract was to be performed. (Government Code Section 28.011). Small Claims Court cases for Cameron are heard in 11 LOCATIONS throughout Cameron County.

Do I need A Lawyer?

Small claims court litigants in Texas normally represent themselves without an attorney. This is because cases involving $10,000 or less usually do not justify the cost of an attorney. You are not required to have an attorney, but you are allowed one. (Government Code 28.003).

Types of Small Claims Cases

Small claims courts handle a wide variety of cases. This could be an action to get your security deposit back, or an action to recover money for damage done to your vehicle after a car accident. Under Texas law, collections cases and claim assignments cannot be heard in small claims court.

Clerk’s Role in Small Claims Court Actions

The clerk is often the first person small claims court litigants interact with in their case. The clerk is knowledgeable at all of the procedures and will be able to inform you of any specific local procedures for Cameron County. We recommend calling the clerk’s office to ensure the courthouse is open. While the clerk can help you with procedural issues, the clerk is not able to give legal advice. They will direct you to an attorney if answering your question would require that.

Cameron County Court Locations

Jail Magistrate Court Courthouse in the City of Olmito

This courthouse is located at:

7100 Old Alice Rd

Olmito, TX 78575

This courthouse handles cases for Jail Magistrate Court. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)350-6900. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 1 Courthouse in the City of Port Isabel

This courthouse is located at:

P O Box 1563

Port Isabel, TX 78578

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)943-2520. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Brownsville

This courthouse is located at:

835 E Levee St, 2nd Fl

Brownsville, TX 78520

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)544-0857. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Brownsville

This courthouse is located at:

974 E Harrison

Brownsville, TX 78521

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)544-0858. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 3 Courthouse in the City of Brownsville

This courthouse is located at:

1100 E Monroe St

Brownsville, TX 78520

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 3. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)547-7068. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of San Benito

This courthouse is located at:

1390 W Expressway 83

San Benito, TX 78586

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)361-4618. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of San Benito

This courthouse is located at:

1390 W Expressway 83

San Benito, TX 78586-7633

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)361-8257. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 4 Courthouse in the City of Los Fresnos

This courthouse is located at:

745 W Ocean Blvd

Los Fresnos, TX 78566-3606

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)233-6150. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 5 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Harlingen

This courthouse is located at:

3302 W Wilson Rd

Harlingen, TX 78552

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)427-8057. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 5 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Harlingen

This courthouse is located at:

3302 W Wilson Rd

Harlingen, TX 78552

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)427-8058. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 5 Place 3 Courthouse in the City of La Feria

This courthouse is located at:

200 Industrial Way

La Feria, TX 78559

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 3. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (956)797-1887. And you can email the court by clicking here.