Donley County Small Claims Court, Texas

Donley County Small Claims Court cases are heard in 2 courthouses in Donley County.

Can I appeal my case?

Yes, but only if the amount in controversy is in excess of $250.

Judge

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

Do I need A Lawyer?

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. However, you are allowed to retain one if you choose.

Can I file my small claims case in Donley County?

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).

What can I expect at trial?

Unlike regular civil trials, small claims court rules do not follow the Rules of Evidence. This allows the trials to be conducted in a much more informal fashion. Generally the judge will ask questions to help develop the facts and understand the context and circumstances surrounding the case. It will likely be pretty quick. A jury trial will likely last longer, probably a few hours.

Small Claims Court Jurisdiction

You cannot demand or ask for more than $10,000 in a small claims court case. (Government Code 28.093). Additionally, a small claims court plaintiff can only ask the court for monetary relief. You are unable to seek injunctive or equitable 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 type of relief would be injunctive relief.

Donley County Court Clerk

We recommend contacting the Donley County court clerk before proceeding down to the courthouse to file your action. 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.

Small Claims Court Case Types

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.

Donley County Court Locations

Precincts 1 & 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Clarendon

This courthouse is located at:

P O Box 828

Clarendon, TX 79226-0828

This courthouse handles cases for Precincts 1 & 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (806)874-2016. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precincts 3 & 4 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Hedley