Dallas County Courts at Law
Dallas County
Overview
Guide Overview
County Courts at Law hear all civil cases that can also be filed in the Civil District Courts. This includes cases where the amount of money or damages involved is $500 or more, eminent domain cases, issues with title to land, appeals of final rulings and decisions of the workers’ compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance, appeals from Justice of the Peace Courts, and appeals from Municipal Courts.
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Research Tips
Read How to Use CourtCall to prepare for your hearing. You should also read the following documents uploaded by the County Clerk:
Common questions about Dallas County
The Dallas County Courts at Law are in the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building at 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, Texas 75202.
Phone: (214) 653-7099
Fax: (214) 653-7176
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You can use the Dallas County District and County Courts Case and Document Information search available on the County Clerk’s webpage.
For criminal records, use the Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Court Documents or Dallas County Felony and Misdemeanor Courts Case Information searches.
For questions related to County Courts Case Information, please contact CC-Inquiry@dallascounty.org.
You can read How to E-File to learn about E-Filing.
You can also read more about E-Filing on the County Clerk's webpage for self-represented litigants.
Instructions & Forms
Instructions & Forms
Honorable D’Metria Benson
600 Commerce Street
5th Floor, West Tower
Dallas, Texas 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7556
Watch County Court at Law No. 1’s live stream on CourtCall.
This information is current as of February 16, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | CourtCall and Microsoft Teams. | Yes. All jury trials, eviction appeal trials, and evidentiary hearings are held in person. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 1’s webpage and Judge Benson’s website for the most up-to-date information. You can also read the County Court at Law No. 1’s COVID-19 Procedures.
Also read our articles How to use CourtCall and How to Use Microsoft Teams to prepare for your virtual appearance.
A civil case information sheet must be completed and filed with all original petitions or applications filed to initiate a new civil, family law, probate, or mental health case or when a post-judgment petition for modification or motion for enforcement is filed in a family law case. You can find the Civil and Family Cover Sheet with Instructions and additional instructions for self-represented litigants on the District Court’s website.
All documents must be typed in at least 12-point font and double spaced. All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the County Clerk.
Also, read the County Court at Law No. 1’s Policies and Procedures for more details.
The court hears motions on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 9:30 a.m. To set a hearing, contact the court clerk at (214) 653-7556. Jury trials are set for Mondays, non-jury trials are set on Thursdays.
The following motions do not require a hearing:
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Unopposed Continuances;
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Motion for Substitute Service (unless specified by court);
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Motion for Default Judgment (unless specified by court);
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Unopposed Motion to Substitute or Withdraw Counsel (agreed by both parties and client);
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Motions to Nonsuit or Dismiss (by plaintiff only, motion to dismiss must be agreed); and
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Agreed Judgments.
The following documents must be approved by the Judge before being set for a hearing: Show cause order on contempt; order granting a writ of habeas corpus; motion to modify filed within one year; any motion to modify requesting temporary orders made at the time the modification is filed; writ of attachment; writ of garnishment; application for any kind of injunctive relief; application for a protective order; order extending a TRO; motion for continuance; and a motion to reinstate.
For all other hearings, you need to file a Notice of Hearing with the court for the Court Clerk or Court Administrator to fill out and sign. The form is available in the Dallas County Family District Courts Local Rules on page six.
Also read County Court at Law No. 1’s Policies and Procedures for more details.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Eviction appeal trials and evidentiary hearings are in person only.
Motions hearings, bench trials, and eviction appeals trials are conducted on CourtCall. Status conferences are conducted on Microsoft Teams.
Court staff will contact you after your hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Seth Little at (214) 653-6581 or slittle@dallascounty.org.
For motion docket information, contact the Court Clerk Tasha Hicks-Young at (214) 653-7556.
Honorable Melissa Bellan
600 Commerce Street
5th Floor, West Tower
Dallas, Texas 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7366
Watch County Court at Law No. 2’s live stream on CourtCall.
This information is current as of February 16, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | CourtCall. | Yes. All jury trials, eviction appeal trials, and evidentiary hearings are held in person. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 2’s webpage for the most up-to-date information. You can also read the County Court at Law No. 2’s CourtCall Instructions.
Also read our article How to Use CourtCall to prepare for your virtual appearance.
A civil case information sheet must be completed and filed with all original petitions or applications filed to initiate a new civil, family law, probate, or mental health case or when a post-judgment petition for modification or motion for enforcement is filed in a family law case. You can find the Civil and Family Cover Sheet with Instructions and additional instructions for self-represented litigants on the County Court’s website.
All documents must be typed in at least 12-point font and double spaced. All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the County Clerk.
Contact the County Clerk for filing instructions.
You must schedule your appearance through CourtCall 24 hours prior to your setting. Contact the court for information on how to schedule a hearing.
The following documents must be approved by the Judge before being set for a hearing: Show cause order on contempt; order granting a writ of habeas corpus; motion to modify filed within one year; any motion to modify requesting temporary orders made at the time the modification is filed; writ of attachment; writ of garnishment; application for any kind of injunctive relief; application for a protective order; order extending a TRO; motion for continuance; and a motion to reinstate.
For all other hearings, you need to file a Notice of Hearing with the court for the Court Clerk or Court Administrator to fill out and sign. The form is available in the Dallas County Family District Courts Local Rules on page six.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Eviction appeal trials and evidentiary hearings are in person only.
Email your exhibits pre-marked numerically to the Court Reporter at Robin.Washington@dallascounty.org. You will also be able to screenshare your exhibits during the hearing.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Michael Fitzgerald at (214) 653-7365 or michael.fitzgerald@dallascounty.org or the Court Clerk Michael Intharansy at (214) 653-7366.
Honorable Sally Montgomery
600 Commerce Street
5th Floor, West Tower
Dallas, Texas 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7595
Watch County Court at Law No. 3’s live stream on CourtCall.
This information is current as of February 16, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | CourtCall. | Yes. All jury trials, eviction appeal trials, and evidentiary hearings are held in person. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 3’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Also read our article How to Use CourtCall to prepare for your virtual appearance.
A civil case information sheet must be completed and filed with all original petitions or applications filed to initiate a new civil, family law, probate, or mental health case or when a post-judgment petition for modification or motion for enforcement is filed in a family law case. You can find the Civil and Family Cover Sheet with Instructions and additional instructions for self-represented litigants on the County Court’s website.
All documents must be typed in at least 12-point font and double spaced. All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the County Clerk. All motions must contain a Certificate of Conference to show you spoke with the other side about what is in your motion.
Read County Court at Law No. 3’s Policies and Procedures for details. Contact the County Clerk for more filing instructions.
To set a regular hearing, file a motion with a notice of hearing attached. If you attach a notice of hearing, the court clerk will automatically set the case for a hearing. The court automatically allows oral hearings upon request.
To schedule an expedited or emergency hearing, file a motion and call the court clerk for an appropriate time for a hearing. Discovery motions are heard at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on every other Monday and 9 a.m. on Thursdays.
The following documents must be approved by the Judge before being set for a hearing: Show cause order on contempt; order granting a writ of habeas corpus; motion to modify filed within one year; any motion to modify requesting temporary orders made at the time the modification is filed; writ of attachment; writ of garnishment; application for any kind of injunctive relief; application for a protective order; order extending a TRO; motion for continuance; and a motion to reinstate.
For all other hearings, you need to file a Notice of Hearing with the court for the Court Clerk or Court Administrator to fill out and sign. The form is available in the Dallas County Family District Courts Local Rules on page six. Read County Court at Law No. 3’s Policies and Procedures for details.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Leslie Richardson at (214) 653-6394 or Leslie.Richardson@dallascounty.org.
Honorable Dianne K. Jones
600 Commerce Street
5th Floor, West Tower
Dallas, Texas 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7466
Watch County Court at Law No. 4’s live stream on YouTube.
This information is current as of February 16, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | CourtCall. | Yes. Contact the court for information. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 4’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Also read our article How to Use CourtCall to prepare for your virtual appearance.
A civil case information sheet must be completed and filed with all original petitions or applications filed to initiate a new civil, family law, probate, or mental health case or when a post-judgment petition for modification or motion for enforcement is filed in a family law case. You can find the Civil and Family Cover Sheet with Instructions and additional instructions for self-represented litigants on the County Court’s website.
All documents must be typed in at least 12-point font and double spaced. All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the County Clerk. All motions must contain a Certificate of Conference to show you spoke with the other side about what is in your motion.
Read County Court at Law No. 4’s Policies and Procedures for details. Contact the County Clerk for more filing instructions.
To set a regular hearing, you must first file your motion, then contact the court clerk to set a hearing. Clerks will make every effort to set hearings within two weeks of the request.
Hearings are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hearings are scheduled for 15-minute intervals. Dispositive motions, discovery disputes, and expert challenges are scheduled for 30-minute slots. If you need more time, send a letter to the court discussing why.
The following documents must be approved by the Judge before being set for a hearing: Show cause order on contempt; order granting a writ of habeas corpus; motion to modify filed within one year; any motion to modify requesting temporary orders made at the time the modification is filed; writ of attachment; writ of garnishment; application for any kind of injunctive relief; application for a protective order; order extending a TRO; motion for continuance; and a motion to reinstate.
For all other hearings, you need to file a Notice of Hearing with the court for the Court Clerk or Court Administrator to fill out and sign. The form is available in the Dallas County Family District Courts Local Rules on page six. Read County Court at Law No. 4’s Policies and Procedures for details.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Telephonic hearings are permitted only if no evidence or testimony is being presented and parties or an attorney will have to travel more than 50 miles to the court.
Contact the court if you would like to know if you are eligible for a virtual hearing.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Coordinator Cathy Moran at (214) 653-7345 or cmoran@dallascounty.org.
Honorable Nicole Taylor
600 Commerce Street
5th Floor, West Tower
Dallas, Texas 75202
Phone: (214) 653-6441
Watch County Court at Law No. 5’s live stream on YouTube.
This information is current as of February 16, 2023.
Checklist Steps
Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
Yes. | Zoom. | Yes. Contact the court for information. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 5’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Also read our article How to Use Zoom to prepare for your virtual appearance.
A civil case information sheet must be completed and filed with all original petitions or applications filed to initiate a new civil, family law, probate, or mental health case or when a post-judgment petition for modification or motion for enforcement is filed in a family law case. You can find the Civil and Family Cover Sheet with Instructions and additional instructions for self-represented litigants on the County Court’s website.
All documents must be typed in at least 12-point font and double spaced. All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the County Clerk. All motions must contain a Certificate of Conference to show you spoke with the other side about what is in your motion.
Contact the County Clerk for more filing instructions.
Contact the court clerk to schedule a hearing in this court.
The following documents must be approved by the Judge before being set for a hearing: Show cause order on contempt; order granting a writ of habeas corpus; motion to modify filed within one year; any motion to modify requesting temporary orders made at the time the modification is filed; writ of attachment; writ of garnishment; application for any kind of injunctive relief; application for a protective order; order extending a TRO; motion for continuance; and a motion to reinstate.
For all other hearings, you need to file a Notice of Hearing with the court for the Court Clerk or Court Administrator to fill out and sign. The form is available in the Dallas County Family District Courts Local Rules on page six.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
Contact the court clerk if you would like to know if you can schedule a virtual hearing.
Court staff will contact you after the hearing is set with instructions for the hearing, including how evidence is submitted and presented to the court.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Possibly. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
To schedule hearings, check the status of an order, or if you have filing issues, contact the Chief Clerk Brianna Brown at (214) 653-6441 or brianna.brown@dallascounty.org.
For trial dates, trial settings, DWOP, and special requests for trial, contact the Court Coordinator Tiara Jones at (214) 653-6503 or tiara.jones@dallascounty.org.
To order transcripts, request portions of transcripts, and submit exhibits for remote hearings, contact the Court Reporter Coral Wahlen at (214) 653-6443 or coral.wahlen@dallascounty.org.
Articles
Articles in this guide
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Civil Litigation in Texas: The Basics
This article explains the basics of civil lawsuits in Texas. -
Tips for the Courtroom
This article tells you general information on what to do and not to do in a courtroom. -
Appealing an Eviction
Steps to appeal an eviction in Texas. -
Guardianship
This article explains guardianship—what it is, and the various rights and responsibilities related to it. -
Protective Order: Fact Sheet
This article tells you how to get a protective order and protective orders can do. -
Justice 101: The Client's Guide to Texas Civil Litigation
This article contains a link to a video that provides some background on the civil litigation system in Texas. -
What Court Staff Can and Cannot Do
Information on what type of services a court can offer. -
How to Set Aside a Default Judgment
This article explains how to ask the judge to set aside (cancel) a default judgment. -
Probating an Estate Without a Will
Not all of a deceased person's property and debt have to be distributed through court. -
Individual Rights and Navigating Court Proceedings During COVID-19
Learn how the court system and personal rights changed due to the pandemic and how to navigate them. -
Virtual Court
Some Texas courts will hold hearings by videoconference, usually using Zoom. -
Sensitive Data
This article provides information on protected sensitive data; data that appears in public records; and sealing records. -
How to E-File
This article provides an overview of e-filing as well as solutions to some common e-filing mistakes. -
How to Use Zoom
Access all available resources on how to use Zoom's video platform for virtual court hearings on your desktop or mobile phone.