Stonewall County Small Claims Court, Texas

Do I need A Lawyer?

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

Stonewall 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. Also, while the clerk can answer questions about procedures, the clerk cannot give legal advice.

Types of Cases

Small claims courts handle a wide variety of cases. 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.

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). Stonewall County Small Claims Court cases are heard in 1 courthouses in Stonewall County.

Stonewall County Small Claims Court
Stonewall County Small Claims Court

Small Claims Court Jurisdiction

A plaintiff cannot demand more than $10,000 in their action. (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, 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.

Judges for Small Claims Court Cases in Stonewall County

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

What can I expect at trial?

The trial is relatively informal compared to a normal trial. In fact, the judge in small claims court is charged with developing facts of the case and may question or summon witnesses. 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.

Are there appeals in small claims court?

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

Stonewall County Court Locations

Countywide Courthouse in the City of Aspermont

This courthouse is located at:

P O Box 389
Aspermont, TX 79502

This courthouse handles cases for Countywide. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (940)989-2213. And you can email the court by clicking here.

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