Montgomery County Judicial System

Located 40 miles north of Houston, Montgomery County is home to nearly half a million Texans. In May 1997, then-Governor George W. Bush signed House Resolution 1123 officially commemorating Montgomery County as “the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.” Dr. Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery County was named as the creator of the “inspirational banner.”

After the lumbering industry that has been the county’s primary employer and economic force dwindled because of the Great Depression, Montgomery County experienced a remarkable revival when oil was discovered near the county seat of Conroe. This prosperity led to population increases and a construction boom.

Today, this county continues to grow as much as any other in Texas. Local authorities find more than enough ways to stay busy.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Montgomery County

If you are arrested in this part of the greater Houston area, you will want to be sure that you have an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the many courts, judges, and prosecutors in Montgomery County.

Matt Horak has been board certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He fights to protect the rights of clients facing all types of criminal charges in Conroe, The Woodlands, and many other communities in Montgomery County. You can have Horak Law review your case by calling our firm at (713) 225-8000 or toll-free at [phone-tollfree] to take advantage of a initial consultation.

Overview of Montgomery County Judicial System

• What is a JP court?
• How many municipal courts are there in the county?
• What kinds of cases are handled by the county courts at law?
• What is the jurisdiction of district courts?
• Are there other types of court offices in Montgomery County?
• Where can I learn more about the judicial branch?

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Montgomery County Justice of the Peace Courts

Also called “justice courts” or “JP courts,” justice of the peace courts are the lowest level of courts in Texas. In Montgomery County, JP courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases that are punishable by fine only, or Class C misdemeanors. Montgomery County has five-justice of the peace precincts, although one judge serves over two locations for Precinct 1.

The five precincts in Montgomery County include:

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Montgomery County Municipal Courts

In Montgomery County, municipal courts generally share jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors with justice of the peace courts, but they have exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances that occur within the city limits. Municipal court judges are typically required to be licensed to practice law and they also have the authority to issue search warrants, arrest warrants, and emergency protection orders.

Most municipal courts are not courts of record, meaning they do not have a clerk or reporter to take down a record of any proceedings. If an alleged offender is convicted in a municipal court, he or she can appeal to a county court at law or district court for a new trial called a trial de novo.

Some of the municipal courts in Montgomery County include:

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County Courts at Law in Montgomery County

In Montgomery County, the county courts at law have jurisdiction over Class A misdemeanors and Class B misdemeanors. The county courts also have appellate jurisdiction over justice of the peace court and municipal court cases.

The Texas Constitution limited each county to a single county court at law, but the Legislature created additional statutory county courts for larger counties. Thus, there are technically five county courts at law in Montgomery County, but four of these are located in different rooms of the same physical location:

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Montgomery County District Courts

District courts have jurisdiction over felony cases. Certain less populated areas of Texas may have multiple counties served by a single court, but counties with larger populations can have multiple district courts.

For example, the 31st District Court in the northern panhandle area of Texas serves five different counties, while Harris County—being home to the largest city in Houston—has 59 district courts. Montgomery County is also an example of the latter with seven district courts:

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Other Judicial Offices in Montgomery County

Montgomery County, TX, also has several other state offices connected to the judicial system that have unique functions. These other judicial offices in Montgomery County include three special court programs for alleged offenders who are either dealing with specific crimes such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or have military backgrounds:

Additionally, Texas has nine different administrative judicial regions. Every region has a presiding judge appointed by the governor who is responsible for implementing regional rules of administration, advising local judges on judicial management, acting for local administrative judges in their absence, and recommending changes to the Supreme Court for the improvement of judicial administration.

Montgomery County is in the Second Administrative Judicial Region which is also composed of Angelina, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Matagorda, Newton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington, and Wharton Counties.

All non-death penalty case appeals of district court or county court at law rulings go to the Texas Court of Appeals. There are 14 districts for these courts, and Montgomery County is included in the Ninth Court of Appeals in Beaumont.

The court of last resort for all criminal cases in the Lone Star State is the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA). This court is located in the state capital of Austin.

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Montgomery County Judicial System Resources

Montgomery County Court Clerk — Visit the official website for the Montgomery County clerk in the state of Texas. Access the site to download important forms, request an e-file, look up someone’s criminal records and more.

Texas Office of Court Administration — You can find all sorts of information about the judicial branch of Texas on this website. In addition to information about specific courts, there is also a calendar of upcoming events, latest news items, and several rules and forms. There are also links to publications, judicial data, and programs and services.

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Find a Lawyer in Houston for Montgomery County

Are you seeking legal representation following an arrest in Montgomery County? Matt Horak is a Houston-based criminal defense attorney who is admitted to practice in state courts throughout Texas, including the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.

Whether you were charged with a traffic crime such as reckless driving in The Woodlands or you are facing charges relating to possession of a controlled substance in Conroe, Horak Law will work tirelessly to achieve the most favorable possible outcome to your case. Contact our firm today at (713) 225-8000 or toll-free at [phone-tollfree] to schedule a confidential consultation that will allow Matt Horak to evaluate your case.

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