Harris County Courts at Law
Harris County
Overview
Guide Overview
County Courts at Law hear civil cases where the amount in controversy is $500-$25,000, eminent domain cases, protective orders under Texas Family Code chapter 71, class A or B misdemeanor criminal offenses, and appeals of:
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Final rulings and decisions of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission,
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Harris County Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts, and
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State Office of Administrative Hearings concerning Administrative License Revocations.
Texas Law Help is working with courts around the state to provide you with accurate information. To help improve upon the information that is available, please leave any comments or recommendations in this Virtual Court Content Survey.
Research Tips
Read our articles on Zoom and how to use it to prepare for your hearing. You should also read the following documents uploaded by the County Clerk:
Common questions about Harris County
The Harris County Civil Courts at Law are located at 201 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77002.
You can find information about your case by using the Harris County Civil Court Settings search portal.
The best method is to contact the District Clerk to ask for case information.
You can read How to E-File to learn about E-Filing.
You can also read more about E-Filing on the District Clerk's webpage.
Instructions & Forms
Instructions & Forms
Honorable Judge Audrie Lawton-Evans
201 Caroline, 5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1345
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Watch Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1’s live stream.
This information is current as of March 13, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| Yes | Zoom | All jury trials and agreed long-docket settings are in person. |
You can visit Civil County Court at Law No. 1’s webpage for the most up-to-date information. You can also read the Harris County Civil Court at Law’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Also, read County Clerk’s Frequently Asked Questions on E-Filing as well as Harris County’s Local Rules of Court for more information.
Contact the trial coordinator to schedule a hearing in this court.
No court settings are set by fax or telephone. All court setting notices must be made in writing. The Clerk does not fill in hearing dates for you on your written notices of hearing.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
You will need to contact the trial coordinator. Visit Harris County Court at Law No. 1’s Court Staff Contact Page for up-to-date contact information.
The Courts request all parties to exchange exhibits prior to the hearing.
Parties should email exhibits to the Trial Coordinator and Court Reporter at least 24 hours before the hearing.
To the extent possible, parties should agree on what is admissible prior to the hearing.
See the Harris County Civil Court’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials for information on sharing documents via zoom or read Zoom on Desktop: How to Upload Documents in Zoom.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Jury trials are set on a two week docket. The Court will notify each party of the specific trial date at the pre-trial conference, which will be scheduled at 9:00 am on the Friday before your 2-week Monday trial docket setting. You must appear for the pre-trial conference.
Contact the trial coordinator for more information.
Possibly. It is strongly recommended that witnesses giving testimony appear by video.
Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning a virtual hearing, contact the Court Clerk at (713) 274-1345.
For up-to-date contact information, see Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1’s Court Staff Contact page.
Honorable Judge Jim F. Kovach
201 Caroline, 5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1349
Watch Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2’s live stream.
This information is current as of February 22, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| Yes | Zoom | All jury trials and agreed long-docket settings are 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 Harris County Civil Court at Law’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Also, read County Clerk’s Frequently Asked Questions on E-Filing as well as Harris County’s Local Rules of Court for more information.
Contact the court clerk to schedule a hearing in this court.
No court settings are set by fax or telephone. All court setting notices must be made in writing. The Clerk does not fill in hearing dates for you on your written notices of hearing.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. You will need to contact the trial coordinator. Visit Harris County Court at Law No. 2’s Court Staff Contact Page for up-to-date contact information.
The Courts request all parties to exchange exhibits prior to the hearing.
Parties should email exhibits to the Trial Coordinator and Court Reporter at least 24 hours before the hearing.
To the extent possible, parties should agree on what is admissible prior to the hearing.
See the Harris County Civil Court’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials for information on sharing documents via zoom or read Zoom on Desktop: How to Upload Documents in Zoom.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Jury trials are set on a two week docket. The Court will notify each party of the specific trial date at the pre-trial conference, which will be scheduled at 9:00 am on the Friday before your 2-week Monday trial docket setting. You must appear for the pre-trial conference.
Contact the trial coordinator for more information.
Possibly. Harris County judges will continue to use reasonable efforts to conduct proceedings remotely, and to accommodate litigants, lawyers, witnesses and other participants who request to appear remotely.
Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning a virtual hearing, contact the Court Clerk at (713)-274-1349 or Trial Coordinator at (832) 927-1722.
Visit the Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 2’s Court Staff Contact page for up-to-date contact information.
Honorable Judge LaShawn A. Williams
201 Caroline, 5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1353
Watch Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 3’s live stream.
This information is current as of March 3, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| Yes | Zoom | All jury trials and agreed long-docket settings are in person. |
You can visit Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 3‘s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
You can also read the Harris County Civil Court at Law’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Also, read County Clerk’s Frequently Asked Questions on E-Filing as well as Harris County’s Local Rules of Court for more information.
Contact the court clerk to schedule a hearing in this court.
No court settings are set by fax or telephone. All court setting notices must be made in writing. The Clerk does not fill in hearing dates for you on your written notices of hearing.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. You will need to contact the trial coordinator. Visit Harris County Court at Law No. 3’s Court Staff Contact Page for up-to-date contact information.
The Courts request all parties to exchange exhibits prior to the hearing.
Parties should email exhibits to the Trial Coordinator and Court Reporter at least 24 hours before the hearing.
To the extent possible, parties should agree on what is admissible prior to the hearing.
See the Harris County Civil Court’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials for information on sharing documents via zoom or read Zoom on Desktop: How to Upload Documents in Zoom.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Jury trials are set on a two week docket. The Court will notify each party of the specific trial date at the pre-trial conference, which will be scheduled at 9:00 am on the Friday before your 2-week Monday trial docket setting. You must appear for the pre-trial conference.
Contact the trial coordinator for more information.
Possibly. Harris County judges will continue to use reasonable efforts to conduct proceedings remotely, and to accommodate litigants, lawyers, witnesses and other participants who request to appear remotely.
Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning a virtual hearing, contact the Trial Coordinator at (832) 927-1732 or visit the Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 3’s Court Staff Contact page for up-to-date email contacts.
Honorable Judge Manpreet Monica Singh
201 Caroline, 5th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-1358
Watch Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4’s live stream.
This information is current as of February 22, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| Yes | Zoom | All jury trials and agreed long-docket settings are in person. |
You can visit Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
You can also read the Harris County Civil Court at Law’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials.
All documents you want to file with the court must be filed with the Court Clerk’s Office through e-filing, in person, fax, or by mail.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference stating you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Also, read County Clerk’s Frequently Asked Questions on E-Filing as well as Harris County’s Local Rules of Court for more information.
Contact the court clerk to schedule a hearing in this court.
No court settings are set by fax or telephone. All court setting notices must be made in writing. The Clerk does not fill in hearing dates for you on your written notices of hearing.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. You will need to contact the trial coordinator. Visit Harris County Court at Law No. 4’s Court Staff Contact Page for up-to-date contact information.
The Courts request all parties to exchange exhibits prior to the hearing.
Parties should email exhibits to the Trial Coordinator and Court Reporter at least 24 hours before the hearing.
To the extent possible, parties should agree on what is admissible prior to the hearing.
See the Harris County Civil Court’s Instructions for Video Hearings & Trials for information on sharing documents via zoom or read Zoom on Desktop: How to Upload Documents in Zoom.
No. All jury trials are being conducted in person only.
Jury trials are set on a two week docket. The Court will notify each party of the specific trial date at the pre-trial conference, which will be scheduled at 9:00 am on the Friday before your 2-week Monday trial docket setting. You must appear for the pre-trial conference.
Contact the trial coordinator for more information.
Possibly. Harris County judges will continue to use reasonable efforts to conduct proceedings remotely, and to accommodate litigants, lawyers, witnesses and other participants who request to appear remotely.
Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning a virtual hearing, contact the Trial Coordinator at (832) 927-1704 or visit the Court Staff Contact page for up-to-date email and contact information.