Taylor County Justice of the Peace Courts
Taylor County
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 Taylor 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 from the Taylor County Court Administrator:
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Taylor County Justice Court Courtroom Rules
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Justice of the Peace Court Courtesy Letter revised 01/2023.
Common questions about Taylor County
The Taylor County Justice of the Peace Courts are located in 4 precincts across Taylor County. The Taylor County precinct map will help you determine which JP court your case is in.
You can use the Taylor County Court Records Inquiry tool for records of your case or fine.
You can read How to E-File to learn about E-Filing.
You can also read more about E-Filing Information on the Taylor County website.
Taylor County JP Courts do accept online payments. However, you will need to contact the court for the complete online payment details.
Taylor County JP Courts use Certified Payments by Deluxe to accept online payments. You will need to enter a Bureau Code which you should find at the top of your citation or by contacting your court.
Read Payments for more information.
Instructions & Forms
Instructions & Forms
Honorable Mike McAuliffe
450 Pecan St.
Suite 110
Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: (325) 674-1338
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
This information is current as of March 30, 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. 1 Place 1's webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Yes. You can make payments online through the Taylor County Justice of the Peace Court Payment Portal.
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.
Read EFiling in Civil for more information.
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 at (325) 674-1338 or by emailing jp1-1@taylorcounty.texas.gov.
Honorable Shawna Joiner
450 Pecan Street
Suite 120
Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: (325) 674-1267
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
This information is current as of March 30, 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. 1 Place 2's webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Yes. You can make payments online through the Taylor County Justice of the Peace Court Payment Portal.
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.
Read EFiling in Civil for more information.
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 if you have concerns.
If you have any questions concerning your case or court procedures, contact the Court at (325) 674-1267 or by emailing jp1-2@taylorcounty.texas.gov.
Honorable Bob Jones
301 Kent Street
P.O. Box 225
Merkel, TX 79536
Phone: (325) 928-5114
Hours: Monday–Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.); Friday; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m..
This information is current as of March 30, 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. 2's webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Yes. You can make payments online through the Taylor County Justice of the Peace Court Payment Portal.
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 EFiling in Civil for more information.
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 at (325) 928-5114 or by emailing jp2merkel@taylorcounty.texas.gov.
Honorable Earl Donnell
442 Graham Street
Tuscola, TX 79562
Phone: (325) 554-7893
Hours: Monday–Thursday; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.); Friday; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This information is current as of March 30, 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. 3's webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Yes. You can make payments online through the Taylor County Justice of the Peace Court Payment Portal.
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 EFiling in Civil for more information.
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 regarding 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 at (325) 554-7893 or by emailing jp3tuscola@taylorcounty.texas.gov.
Honorable David Doherty
155 Main Street
P.O. Box 5
Lawn, TX 79530
Phone: (325) 583-2341
Hours: Monday–Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
This information is current as of March 30, 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. 4's webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Yes. You can make payments online through the Taylor County Justice of the Peace Court Payment Portal.
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 EFiling in Civil for more information.
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 at (325) 583-2341 or by emailing jp4law@taylorcounty.texas.gov.
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. -
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. -
Virtual Court
Some Texas courts will hold hearings by videoconference, usually using Zoom. -
Virtual Court and Child Support (IV-D)
Some IV-D Courts (child support court) are now holding hearings by videoconference, usually using Zoom. -
Civil Trial Preparation
If your case is contested, then you will need to spend a lot of time preparing for trial.