Coleman County Small Claims Court, Texas

Are Appeals Allowed?

A party can appeal a ruling if the amount of the judge’s award is in excess of $250.00.

Small Claims Court Clerk

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 Coleman 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.

Do I need to hire an Attorney?

Small claims court litigants in Texas normally represent themselves without an attorney. This is largely because the amount at issue in the case is not large enough to justify the hiring of an attorney. You are not required to have an attorney, but you are allowed one. (Government Code 28.003).

What is the trial like?

Unlike regular civil trials, small claims court rules do not follow the Rules of Evidence. There are no rules of evidence. Additionally, the judge is allowed to ask questions of the parties and witnesses, and generally takes a more proactive role in determining the facts of a case. Trials generally are pretty short (15-20 minutes). If a jury trial is required, the trial could last a few hours.

Small Claims Court Case Types

Most cases for the recovery of money can be heard in small claims court. 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.

Judges for Small Claims Court Cases in Coleman County

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

Limit (or Jurisdiction) of Small Claims Court

You cannot demand or ask for more than $10,000 in a small claims court case. (Government Code 28.093). Another restriction of small claims court is that a plaintiff can only seek monetary relief (an award of money). You cannot seek injunctive relief. For example, you could sue a dry cleaner for ruining your clothes and ask for money to replace the clothes, but you cannot ask the judge for an order for the dry cleaner to repair your clothes. This would be called injunctive relief. Coleman County Small Claims Court cases are heard in 1 courthouses in Coleman County.

Coleman County Small Claims Court
Coleman County Small Claims Court

Small Claims Court Venue

The action is generally filed in the County and Precinct where the defendants reside (where they live) or where location where the Defendants contracted themselves to perform. (Texas Government Code Section 28.011).

Coleman County Court Locations

Countywide Courthouse in the City of Coleman

This courthouse is located at:

100 W Live Oak St, Ste 103
Coleman, TX 76834-3533

This courthouse handles cases for Countywide. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (325)625-4223. And you can email the court by clicking here.

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