Ector County Small Claims Court, Texas

Can I file my case in small claims court?

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 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 type of relief would be injunctive relief.

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. 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. However, if a party wishes for a jury trial, it will likely last a few hours.

Can I hire an attorney?

In Texas, small claims parties generally 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).

Types of Small Claims Cases

Most cases for the recovery of money can be heard in small claims court. From a security deposit on a rental to a motor vehicle 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.

Are there appeals in small claims court?

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

Ector County Court Clerk

The clerk at the courthouse can be an excellent resource for your case. The clerk is knowledgeable at all of the procedures and will be able to inform you of any specific local procedures for Ector County. We recommend calling the clerk’s office to ensure the courthouse is open. Also, while the clerk can answer questions about procedures, the clerk cannot give legal advice.

Small Claims Court Venue

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 Ector are heard in 4 LOCATIONS throughout Ector County.

Ector County Small Claims Court
Ector County Small Claims Court

Who is the judge in a Small Claims Court case?

A Justice of the Peace for Ector County hears small claims court cases for Ector County.

Ector County Court Locations

Precinct 1 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Odessa

This courthouse is located at:

300 N Grant, Rm 208
Odessa, TX 79761

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (432)498-4201. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Odessa

This courthouse is located at:

300 N Grant, Rm 208
Odessa, TX 79761

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (432)498-4202. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Odessa

This courthouse is located at:

300 N Grant, Rm 208
Odessa, TX 79761

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (432)498-4203.

Precinct 4 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Odessa

This courthouse is located at:

300 N Grant, Rm 208
Odessa, TX 79761

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (432)498-4204. And you can email the court by clicking here.

4 thoughts on “Ector County Small Claims Court, Texas”

  1. I need to know how to go about get a contractor Chris Steinhauer to pay me for 64hrs labor. We were remodeling a living room for a Mr.freels in west Odessa, during this time he stole a silve r ring outta my vehicle , barrowed money from me and my family with promise to pay it back and at the end he acted acted like home owner never payed him , but I know for a fact the home owner did and I have plenty of people who will testify I worked withhimover a week

    Reply
  2. The prime contractor for the City of Odessa Eastside Drainage Project overstated concrete quantities placed in
    order to complete the canal, thus inflating the cost to
    complete the canal. They decreased the total amount of placed quantities and thus reduced the balance owned for
    amounts placed. Increase the cost to complete and decrease the balance owed on amounts placed.

    Reply
  3. My cousin and her boyfriend stole my Money. A whilwle back I lived with her because I was having problems with my mom, so I told her. She opened her doors for me, she said I didn’t have to pay her anything, I just had to help clean, and watch her kids. So her boyfriend that is now bought a house for them to stay. I asked her if I was going too, she said yes that she wasn’t gonna leave me, if she’s the one who asked me to go an live with her. A few months later living at the house she got in a fight with her boyfriend. He kicked them out, so I just went along with her. Three days later I asked her to take me to my mom’s to visit. She took me, that same day she asked me to ask my mom if we can stay for a few days till she got a place we could ALL stay. I kept asking her to ask her boyfriend if he was still gonna pay me my money back. Then she said of course he was gonna pay me, him kicking her out had nothing to do with me. They had promised ANF gave me there word they were gonna pay me back. I messed her like a couple of weeks after I last talked to her, of they were still gonna pay me back. I had found out that she was living back with her boyfriend. I didn’t say anything that day I just asked her, she had told me No, because she had added it up that it comes out that I owe her. I got so mad i started talking crap to her as well as she did too. I asked her again an again, today was the last time I asked her. She didn’t say anything.
    I was hoping y’all could help me an my baby get our money back, because I need to buy a new laptop that I just magically lost when we were moving out. The only places we went we’re to her mom’s an sister’s. She would also rub that in my face.
    I hope an pray y’all can help me.

    Reply
  4. Where can I find a lawyer that can help me with a lawsuit concerning loss of personal property? Please respond as soon as possible. Thank You

    Reply

Leave a Comment