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1. Can I speak to the judge personally about my case?

No, the judge is barred by law from considering ex-parte (one-sided) or other communication outside the presence of the other party.

2. I just received a ticket; what are my options?

Please visit our Paying a Ticket page to review your options.

3. How long after I get my ticket will it be filed in the court?

Typically, it takes a week to 10 days before the ticket is received and filed in the court.

4. Can I take care of my husband / wife’s ticket?

Only the person who received the ticket can enter their plea. Once the plea is entered, anyone can make the payment.

5. What is the due date of my ticket?

If the ticket was issued by a state trooper, there will be a date that you must appear by in the middle of the ticket; if the ticket was issued by a Parker County Sheriff’s Deputy, it will be the Monday after 10 days from the date you received the ticket.

6. Can I get an extension on taking care of my ticket?

Yes, please call the court in your precinct and request an extension.

7. I am 16, can I take care of my ticket myself?

No, people that are 16 years of age and under must call the court and make an appointment to appear before the judge accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

8. I was just served with a civil citation by the constable; what do I do now?

If it was a small claims citation, it will tell you that you have to answer to the suit by the end of the 14th day after the day you were served with the papers. If the 14th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the answer is due by the end of the first day following the Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Your answer is simply your denial or acknowledgment of the debt, not the merits of your case. If you deny the debt, the case will be set for trial; if you acknowledge the debt, a judgment will be rendered against you without trial.

If you were served with an eviction citation, there will be a hearing date and time on the citation. That is the date and time that you should appear in court to tell the judge why you should not be evicted.

Your failure to answer or appear could result in a default judgment rendered against you.

9. I need to file a small claims suit, where do I file it and how much does it cost?

The basic rule of venue is that someone has the right to be sued where they live; there are exceptions to this rule. Should there be a motion by the defendant to transfer venue, a hearing will be held to determine if a transfer of venue will be granted, this could delay the proceedings for a couple of months.

If the transfer is granted, the plaintiff will be required to pay the filing fees again. The filing fee is $54 and the service fee in Parker County is $100 for each person sued. If the person sued lives outside of Parker County, call the civil clerk for the cost.

10. How much can I sue for in Justice Court?

The jurisdictional limit in Justice Court is $20,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs, but including attorney’s fees, if any.

11. Where do I file an eviction suit?

An eviction suit must be filed in the Justice of the Peace precinct where the property is located. Please refer to the precinct map to determine which precinct the property is located, or you can call 911 Addressing at 817-598-6135.

12. Can I include electric / water bills along with past due rent in an eviction suit?

No, the only thing that is considered in an eviction suit is who has a greater right to possession of the property in question and if any past due rent is owed. Any other debt can be addressed in a small claims suit.

13. Can the property owner send an agent to file the case and appear in court for them?

Yes, when the agent appears in court, they must have a signed, notarized statement from the property owner designating the person as their agent. The agent must also have knowledge of the facts and be able to testify to the facts in court.

14. Can I get my marriage license at the Justice of the Peace office and get married there?

You can get your license at any County Clerk’s office in Texas; in Parker County, the County Clerk is at the Courthouse Annex:

1112 Santa Fe

Weatherford, TX 76086

Ph: 817-594-7461

You must have your license 72 hours before the ceremony can be performed, unless you are active military or have received a waiver. 

15. Can I pay my property taxes here?

No, property taxes can be paid at the Parker County Appraisal District:
1108 Santa Fe Dr.
Weatherford, TX 76086
Ph: 817-596-0077