Tarrant County Small Claims Court, Texas

Tarrant County Small Claims Court cases are heard in 8 courthouses in Tarrant County.

How are trials conducted?

Unlike regular civil trials, small claims court rules do not follow the Rules of Evidence. In fact, the judge in small claims court is charged with developing facts of the case and may question or summon witnesses. 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.

Do I need to hire an Attorney?

Small claims court litigants in Texas normally represent themselves without an attorney. The reasoning behind this is because the amount is $10,000 or less, hiring an attorney becomes cost prohibitive. You are not required to have an attorney, but you are allowed one. (Government Code 28.003).

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, 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. This would be called injunctive relief.

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).

Are there appeals in small claims court?

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

Tarrant 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. Remember, the court clerk is trained to assist with procedural questions, but is not able to give legal advice.

Who is the judge in a Small Claims Court case?

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

Small Claims Court Case Types

A variety of cases are handled in small claims court. Cases include damages from an automobile accident, a security deposit from a landlord, or breach of a contract. 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.

Tarrant County Court Locations

Precinct 1 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Fort Worth

This courthouse is located at:

100 W Weatherford St, Rm 450

Fort Worth, TX 76196-0242

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 1 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)884-1395. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 2 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Arlington

This courthouse is located at:

700 E Abram, Ste 200

Arlington, TX 76010

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 2 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)548-3925. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 3 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Hurst

This courthouse is located at:

645 Grapevine Hwy, Ste 220

Hurst, TX 76054-2740

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 3 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)581-3625. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 4 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Fort Worth

This courthouse is located at:

6713 Telephone Rd, Ste 201

Fort Worth, TX 76135

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 4 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)238-4425. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 5 Courthouse in the City of Fort Worth

This courthouse is located at:

350 W Belknap, Rm 112C

Fort Worth, TX 76196-0247

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 5. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)884-1438. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 6 Courthouse in the City of Fort Worth

This courthouse is located at:

6551 Granbury Rd

Fort Worth, TX 76133-4926

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 6. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)370-4525. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 7 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Mansfield

This courthouse is located at:

1100 E Broad St, Ste 202

Mansfield, TX 76063

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 7 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)473-5101. And you can email the court by clicking here.

Precinct 8 Place 1 Courthouse in the City of Fort Worth

This courthouse is located at:

3500 Miller Ave

Fort Worth, TX 76119

This courthouse handles cases for Precinct 8 Place 1. The court’s website can be found here. The phone number for the court is (817)531-5625. And you can email the court by clicking here.