Fayette County Small Claims Court, Texas

Fayette County Small Claims Court cases are heard in 4 courthouses in Fayette County.

What is the trial like?

Small claims court trials are very informal compared to a regular civil trial. There are no rules of evidence. Generally the judge will ask questions to help develop the facts and understand the context and circumstances surrounding the case. A small claims court trial is much quicker, often lasting between 15-20 minutes. If a jury trial is required, the trial could last a few hours.

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).

Can I hire an attorney?

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

Judge

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

Small Claims Court Jurisdiction

A plaintiff cannot demand more than $10,000 in their action. (Texas Government Code 28.093). Small claims parties can only recover money. You are unable to seek injunctive or equitable 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. You could only ask the court for an award of money.

Types of 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. 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.

Are Appeals Allowed?

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

Fayette County Court Clerk

The clerk at the courthouse can be an excellent resource for your case. This will ensure the courthouse is open and someone is available to assist with the filing of your claim. 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.

Fayette County Court Locations

Precinct 1 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of La Grange

This courthouse is located at:

1646 N Jefferson St

La Grange, TX 78945

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (979)968-3648. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Fayetteville

This courthouse is located at:

P O Box 458

Fayetteville, TX 78940-0458

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (979)378-2573. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Flatonia

This courthouse is located at:

P O Box A

Flatonia, TX 78941

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (361)865-3500. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 4 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Schulenburg

This courthouse is located at:

312 Paulus St

Schulenburg, TX 78956

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (979)743-4041.