Dallam County Small Claims Court, Texas

Are there appeals in small claims court?

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

Judges for Small Claims Court Cases in Dallam County

Small claims cases in Dallam County are heard in front of the justice of the peace for Dallam County.

Dallam County Court Clerk

The clerk is often the first person small claims court litigants interact with in their case. The clerk is an excellent resource for the procedure for small claims court cases in Texas but also any procedures specific to that County or courthouse. It is recommended that you contact the clerk’s office to ensure the courthouse is open during the hours you want to visit. Also, while the clerk can answer questions about procedures, the clerk cannot give legal advice.

Do I need A Lawyer?

In Texas, small claims parties generally 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).

Small Claims Court Venue

You should file your action in the County and specific Precinct where the defendants reside or where the defendant has contracted to perform. (Government Code Section 28.011).

What can I expect at trial?

Small claims court trials are very informal compared to a regular civil trial. This allows the trials to be conducted in a much more informal fashion. Furthermore, the judge is allowed and often ask questions of witnesses and parties to help understand the facts of a case. A small claims court trial is much quicker, often lasting between 15-20 minutes. However, if a party wishes for a jury trial, it will likely last a few hours.

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 are unable to seek injunctive or equitable relief. For example, if you pay a painter $1,000 to paint your house and the painter does not even begin, you cannot ask the court to issue an order for the painter to paint your house. You could only ask the court for an award of money.

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. However, small claims court cannot handle assignments of claims (where one person transfers their interest in an action to another), a divorce proceedings, and cases filed by collection agencies or agents. Small Claims Court cases for Dallam are heard in 1 LOCATIONS throughout Dallam County.

Dallam County Small Claims Court
Dallam County Small Claims Court

Dallam County Court Locations

Countywide Courthouse in the City of Dalhart

This courthouse is located at:

414 Denver Ave, Ste 101
Dalhart, TX 79022-2627

This courthouse handles cases for Countywide. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (806)244-4827. And you can email the court by clicking here.

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