Smith County Courts at Law
Smith 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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Smith 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 Smith County
The Smith County Courts are in the Smith County Courthouse at:
100 N. Broadway
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-1660
Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can use the Smith County District and County Court Record Inquiry tool available on the District Clerk’s webpage. You can also visit the Civil and Family Records Desk.
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.
Smith County Courts suggest using the Judicial Records Search to view Court Calendars.
Instructions & Forms
Instructions & Forms
Honorable Judge Jason Ellis
100 N. Broadway
Room 209
Tyler, Texas 75702
Watch County Court at Law No. 1’s court live stream on YouTube.
This information is current as of April 26, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| Judge Ellis prefers that all hearings be in person, subject to exceptions | Zoom | Yes. Parties may request a virtual appearance (for good cause) by contacting the court administrator. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 1’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Also read How to Use Zoom for help preparing for a hearing via Zoom.
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. Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-4670.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference certifying that you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Read the Smith County Local Rules of Civil Trial for more information on filing.
Contact the court administrator to schedule a hearing in this court.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.
Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause.
The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection.
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.
Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing.
Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials.
Possibly. Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court Administrator at (903) 590-1654 or by using the county’s electronic mailing system.
Honorable Judge Sara Maynard
100 N. Broadway
1st Floor, Suite 104
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-1611
This information is current as of April 26, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| All civil and criminal dockets are heard in person, subject to exceptions | Not specified | Parties must make prior arrangement with the staff and must have approval from the judge in order to appear virtually |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 2’s webpage for the most up-to-date information. County Court at Law No. 2 also has a Rules of the Court posted to their webpage.
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. Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-4670.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference certifying that you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Read the Smith County Local Rules of Civil Trial for more information on filing.
Contact the court administrator to schedule a hearing in this court.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.
Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause.
The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection.
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.
Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing.
Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials.
Possibly. Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Civil Court Coordinator at (903) 590-1611 or by using the county’s electronic mailing system.
Honorable Judge Clay White
100 N. Broadway
Room 303
Tyler, TX 75702
Uncontested probate and guardianship hearings are held in the courtroom on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex located at:
200 E. Ferguson St
Tyler, TX 75702
Phone: (903) 590-1690
This information is current as of April 26, 2023.
Checklist Steps
| Is this court doing virtual hearings? | What platform are they using? | Are there any exceptions? |
| Yes | Zoom | Yes. In order to set a Zoom hearing, the applicant/witnesses must live out of the region. Zoom hearings will be held once a month, so be aware that there may be a delay in getting a setting. Please contact the Court for available dates. |
You can visit County Court at Law No. 3’s webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Also read How to Use Zoom for help preparing for a hearing via Zoom.
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. Contact the County Clerk’s Office with any questions at (903) 590-4670.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conference certifying that you made an effort to resolve the motion with all other parties and lawyers before filing.
Read the Smith County Local Rules of Civil Trial for more information on filing.
Contact the court administrator to schedule a hearing in this court.
Yes. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings.
Each counsel should file a list of all potential exhibits to be offered, provide a copy to opposing counsel, and make all such exhibits available for examination by opposing counsel. This must be completed before the pre-trial conference or at least seven (7) days before trial, whichever occurs first.
Any objections to admissibility of exhibits must be made at least fifteen (15) days before trial or pre-trial conference, except on leave of Court for good cause.
The offering party must pre-mark and pre-number their own exhibits prior to trial and must provide a list of exhibits to be offered at trial to the court reporter before jury selection.
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.
Read Rule 3.3 of the Smith County Rules of Civil Trial for more information on the submission of evidence before a virtual hearing.
Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials.
Possibly. Contact the court if you have concerns. The court will decide whether to allow virtual testimony upon request.
If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Civil Court Coordinator at (903) 590-1691 or by using the county’s electronic mailing system.
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. -
Statutes of Limitations in Civil Lawsuits
This article explains statutes of limitation in Texas. -
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 a Contested Final Hearing (Family Law)
This article discusses the steps to set a contested final hearing in a family law case. -
How to Set Aside a Default Judgment
This article explains how to ask the judge to set aside (cancel) a default judgment. -
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. -
Civil Trial Preparation
If your case is contested, then you will need to spend a lot of time preparing for trial. -
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.