Information about Criminal Cases

Filing Criminal Complaints

A peace officer who is charging a person with committing an offense that is a Class C misdemeanor may, instead of taking the person before a magistrate, issue a citation that contains written notice of the offense charged and of the time and place the person must appear before a magistrate.

A criminal proceeding in a Justice Court may be commenced by the filing of a complaint in the Justice of the Peace precinct in which the offense was committed or in which the accused resides. Harris County is divided into eight (8) Justice of the Peace precincts, each of which has two (2) Justices of the Peace.

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General Information

This information is furnished to you to provide basic information relative to the law governing procedures for criminal cases in the Harris County Justice Courts.

The Harris County Justices of the Peace and the Clerks of the Harris County Justice Courts are not allowed to give legal advice. You are urged to review the applicable laws and to consult an attorney of your choice for further information or answers to specific legal questions.

You have the right to a trial by a jury and to be represented by an attorney of your choice, or to represent yourself.

Disclaimer: The law is constantly changing and there may be times when the information on this web site will not be current. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. This information is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject and is not a substitute for advice from an attorney.