Are Appeals Allowed?
A party can appeal a ruling if the amount of the judge’s award is in excess of $250.00.
Small Claims Court Jurisdiction
The plaintiff’s demand for money cannot exceed $10,000. (Texas 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. 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.
Clerk’s Role in Small Claims Court Actions
The clerk is often the first person small claims court litigants interact with in their case. The clerk is knowledgeable at all of the procedures and will be able to inform you of any specific local procedures for Lamar County. We recommend calling the clerk’s office to ensure the courthouse is open. Remember, the court clerk is trained to assist with procedural questions, but is not able to 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).
How are trials conducted?
Small claims court trials are very informal compared to a regular civil trial. There are no rules of evidence. Additionally, the judge is allowed to ask questions of the parties and witnesses, and generally takes a more proactive role in determining the facts of a case. Trials generally are pretty short (15-20 minutes). A jury trial will likely last longer, probably a few hours. Lamar County Small Claims Court cases are heard in 6 courthouses in Lamar County. 
Judge
Small claims cases in Lamar County are heard in front of the justice of the peace for Lamar County.
Do I need to 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. You are not required to have an attorney, but you are allowed one. (Government Code 28.003).
Types of Small Claims Cases
Small claims courts handle a wide variety of cases. From a security deposit on a rental to a motor vehicle 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.
Lamar County Court Locations
Precinct 1 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Paris
This courthouse is located at:
119 N Main St Paris, TX 75460This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (903)737-2441.
Precinct 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Paris
This courthouse is located at:
This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (903)346-3671.
Precinct 3 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Paris
This courthouse is located at:
119 N Main St Paris, TX 75460-4280This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (903)737-2440.
Precinct 4 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Paris
This courthouse is located at:
119 N Main St Paris, TX 75460This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (903)737-2441. And you can email the court by clicking here.
Precinct 5 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Paris
This courthouse is located at:
119 N Main St Paris, TX 75460-4280This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (903)737-2440. And you can email the court by clicking here.
Precinct 5 Place 2 Courthouse in the City of Paris
This courthouse is located at:
119 N Main St Paris, TX 75460This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5 Place 2. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (903)737-2441.
We live in Frisco and need to file a small claim for small claims court for materials and services provided in Paris Texas. Can we get the paperwork emailed or sent to us to fill out and then return it in person?
Hello,
I would like to know where I should file for a small claims court case against David Andrew Kollar. He resides in your county with a Paris, Texas address. I have suffered financially from him and he hasn’t complied with a psychological examination that he promised to complete. Is the Texas Board of Psychology different than the Boards in Colorado? I would like to receive settlement for my loss. Do I need a lawyer or can I do this in small claims court? My requested settlement is quite a lot of money. Not sure how to reclaim this loss? Thanks, Chris
Hi, I sent a message yesterday asking for info on a civil case against a person who belongs to your county in Texas. This person is David Andrew Kollar. I have received great loss from this man who uses every tactic on earth to destroy me. My life has been ruined because of him and I want retribution! I don’t know exactly what my loss is in a money sense because it is hard to put a monetary amount on what he did. Do you suggest I hire a lawyer to help me recover this loss. Some of the suffering I received was work related and others was a psychological profile on his mental state in the State of Texas. Can I file for a case without a lawyer? If so what is the max settlement? Who’s county district court should this case be filed in? Thanks, Chris