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Smith County Justice of the Peace Courts

Smith County

Learn the virtual court procedures, who you need to contact, and more about the Smith County Justice of the Peace Courts.
Overview

Guide Overview

Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts handle civil and criminal cases, including small claims (amount is $20,000 or less), justice court, and administrative hearings. These are lawsuits over debts, evictions, car accidents, unlawful towing, and property issues. Most JP’s perform marriage ceremonies as well. 

This guide contains information on all Smith County JP Courts. 

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 Smith County: 

Common questions about Smith County

The Smith County Justice of the Peace Courts are located in five (5) precincts across Smith County. The city website provides a county map showing each precinct’s geographic area of jurisdiction. 

You can use the Smith County District and County Court Record Inquiry tool available on the District Clerk’s webpage.  

You can read How to E-File to learn about E-Filing. 

Smith County Justice of the Peace Courts Precincts 2, 4, and 5 offer a Pay Now Link on their Fees and Payments page. 

Instructions & Forms

Honorable Judge Derrick Choice 

200 E. Ferguson Street 

Suite 501 

Tyler, TX 75702 
 
Phone: (903) 590-2602 

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?
Unknown N/A Contact the Court for more information on virtual hearings.

You can visit Justice Court Pct. 1's webpage for the most up-to-date information. 

No. Smith County JP1 does not offer an online payment option. Visit Fees and Payments for more information. 

All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the court. Contact the court for information on filing a case. 

Also read the Jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace page for more information on filing in civil cases. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing.  

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

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. 

Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court Clerk at (903) 590-2602 or by using the county’s electronic mailing system

Honorable Judge Andy Dunklin 

15405 Hwy. 155 S 

Tyler, TX 75703 
 
Phone: (903) 561-3310 

Hours: Monday–Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Friday; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

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?
Unknown N/A Contact the Court for more information on virtual hearings.

You can visit Justice Court Pct. 2's webpage for the most up-to-date information. 

Yes. Smith County JP 2 offers a Pay Now Link on the Fees and Payments page. 

All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the court. Contact the court for information on filing a case. 

Also read the Jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace page for more information on filing in civil cases. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing 

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

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. 

Can I request a virtual jury trial? 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court staff at (903) 561-3310 or by emailing jcourt2@smith-county.com

Honorable Judge James Meredith 

313 E. Duval Street 

P.O. Box 573 

Troup, TX 75789 
 
Phone: (903) 590-4729 

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?
In-person hearings are preferred if permitting Zoom Litigants can request to appear remotely. Contact the Court for more information.

You can visit Justice Court Pct. 3's webpage for the most up-to-date information. 

Also, read How to Use Zoom for help preparing for a hearing via Zoom. 

No. However, Smith County JP 3 offers Office Payments via phone at (903) 590-4729. Visit Payments and Fees for more information. 

All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the court. Contact the court for information on filing a case. 

Also read the Jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace page for more information on filing in civil cases. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing.  

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

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. 

Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court staff at (903) 590-4729 or by emailing jp3courtstaff@smith-county.com

Honorable Judge Curtis Wulf 

14152 Hwy 155 N 

Winona, TX 75792 
 
Phone: (903) 590-4870 

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?
Unknown N/A Contact the Court for more information on virtual hearings.

You can visit Justice Court Pct. 4's webpage for the most up-to-date information. 

Yes. Smith County JP 4 offers a Pay Now Link on the Fees and Payments page. 

All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the court. Contact the court for information on filing a case. 

Also read the Jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace page for more information on filing in civil cases. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing.  

Possibly. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

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. 

Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court staff at (903) 590-4870 or by using the county’s electronic mailing system

Honorable Judge Jon W. Johnson 

2616 S. Main 

P.O. Box 1075 

Lindale, TX 75771 
 
Phone: (903) 590-4890 

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?
No N/A Contact the Court for more information.

You can visit Justice Court Pct. 5's webpage for the most up-to-date information. 

Also read the Local Rules of Procedure and Rules of Decorum for the Justice of the Peace Court Precinct Five for more information. 

Yes. Smith County JP 5 offers a Pay Now Link on the Fees and Payments page. 

All documents must be e-filed or filed in person or by mail with the court. Contact the court for information on filing a case. 

Also read the Jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace page for more information on filing in civil cases. 

Contact the court to schedule a hearing.  

Smith JP5 is currently not hosting virtual hearings. Depending on the complexity of the matter, type of hearing, and the situation, the court will use its discretion to permit virtual hearings. Contact the court to see if you can schedule a virtual hearing. 

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. 

Contact the Court for more information on virtual jury trials. 

Possibly. Contact the court coordinator if you have concerns. 

If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court staff at (903) 590-4890 or by using the county’s electronic mailing system

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