Dallas County Small Claims Court, Texas

Judge

The justice of the peace for Dallas County presides over small claims court actions for Dallas County. Small Claims Court cases for Dallas are heard in 10 LOCATIONS throughout Dallas County.

Do I need A Lawyer?

You are allowed to hire an attorney (Texas Government Code Section 28.003), however, most small claims court parties choose to represent themselves. 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).

What can I expect at trial?

Small claims court trials are very informal compared to a regular civil trial. In fact, the judge in small claims court is charged with developing facts of the case and may question or summon witnesses. 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.

Are Appeals Allowed?

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

Can I file my small claims case in Dallas County?

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).

Types of Small Claims Cases

A variety of cases are handled 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. The only types of cases that are prohibited are an assignment of a claim (whereby you transfer your interest in a case for someone else to collect), a divorce, or a case filed by a collection agency or agents.

Can I file my case in small claims court?

The plaintiff’s demand for money cannot exceed $10,000. (Texas Government Code 28.093). Another restriction of small claims court is that a plaintiff can only seek monetary relief (an award of money). The court has no authority to issue an injunctive or equitable award. 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 type of relief would be injunctive relief.

Dallas County Court Clerk

The clerk at the courthouse can be an excellent resource for your 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. 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.

Dallas County Court Locations

Precinct 1 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Dallas

This courthouse is located at:

7201 S Polk St, Ste 112

Dallas, TX 75232-3831

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (972)228-0280 – ext. 1563 .

Precinct 1 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Lancaster

This courthouse is located at:

107 Texas St

Lancaster, TX 75146

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (972)228-2272. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Garland

This courthouse is located at:

140 N Garland Ave

Garland, TX 75040-6107

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)643-4773. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Mesquite

This courthouse is located at:

823 N Galloway Ave, Ste 101A

Mesquite, TX 75149-3473

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (972)285-5429. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Dallas

This courthouse is located at:

10056 Marsh Ln, Ste 132

Dallas, TX 75229-6071

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)321-4106. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Richardson

This courthouse is located at:

1411 W Belt Line Rd

Richardson, TX 75080

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)904-3042. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 4 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Grand Prairie

This courthouse is located at:

106 W Church, Ste 205

Grand Prairie, TX 75050

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)751-4040. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 4 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Irving

This courthouse is located at:

841 W Irving Blvd

Irving, TX 75060

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)589-7000. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 5 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Dallas

This courthouse is located at:

3443 St. Francis Ave

Dallas, TX 75228-6186

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)943-6980. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 5 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Dallas

This courthouse is located at:

410 S Beckley Ave

Dallas, TX 75203

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (214)943-5981.