Courts

This article is a practical, plain-English guide to Tarrant County TX Courts—what each court does, where proceedings are held, how cases move through the system, and how residents can find dockets, records, and services. You’ll find a full tour of criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, magistrate, and Justice of the Peace courts; step-by-step pointers to official tools for dockets and records; and building-by-building details so you can arrive prepared. At the end, there’s a concise list of relevant court departments with addresses and phone numbers.

Understand the Tarrant County court framework before you go

Tarrant County’s courts are organized by subject matter and level of offense. The system includes Civil Courts, Criminal Courts, Family Courts, Juvenile Court, Probate Courts, and the Justices of the Peace. These courts are housed across several downtown Fort Worth facilities—the historic Tarrant County Courthouse, the Tim Curry Justice Center, the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, and the Family Law Center—with dedicated suburban sites for certain precinct-level functions. The County also hosts the Magistrate Courts for first appearances and bond matters and is home to the Second Court of Appeals serving the broader region.

If you’re starting from scratch, begin at the official Courts hub for a quick overview of divisions, judges, and courthouse links. From there, the County’s Court Listing page shows each court by building and floor, making it easy to match your case or task to the right location.

Visit the Courts homepage for court divisions and links: Courts
See all courts by building and floor: View all courts

Find your date, judge, and courtroom: follow the county’s official dockets

When you need the exact date, time, and location of a hearing, use the County’s official docket tools. Criminal and civil dockets are posted online and updated by the clerks and court staff.

Track criminal settings and appearances

For misdemeanor and felony matters, the County posts daily and future settings by court. Use the criminal docket index to search by name or cause number, then note the courtroom and floor in the Tim Curry Justice Center.

Search criminal dockets (felony & misdemeanor): criminal courts dockets

Follow civil district court calendars

Civil district cases—contract disputes, torts, injunctions, and other general jurisdiction matters—are maintained by each district court coordinator, and the County consolidates docket access on its civil pages.

View civil district calendars: civil district courts dockets

Where to go if you’re still not sure

If your notice is missing a floor or you’re confused about which building to visit, confirm the courtroom on the County’s Court Listing page, then cross-check the building address near the end of this article. Court security will also point you to the right elevator bank when you arrive.

Criminal justice in practice: how cases move and where they’re heard

Criminal cases in Tarrant County are divided by offense level and venue:

Criminal District Courts (felonies). Eleven district courts handle felony filings, pretrial hearings, and trials at the Tim Curry Justice Center. The court floors and suite numbers are listed on the Court Listing page, from Criminal District Court No. 1 through Criminal District Court No. 4 and the 213th, 297th, 371st, 372nd, 396th, and 432nd District Courts.

County Criminal Courts (misdemeanors). Ten county criminal courts hear Class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from municipal/JP courts, also located in the Tim Curry Justice Center.

Magistrate Courts. The Magistrate Courts (in the Tim Curry Justice Center basement) handle first appearances, bonds, and probable-cause determinations around the clock, a crucial early step in the criminal process.

To orient yourself in the criminal division, start with the County’s landing page summarizing how felony and misdemeanor courts operate, where to ask docket questions, and how to handle fines and fees:

Explore court structure, contacts, and programs: Criminal Courts

Specialty and diversion programs anchored to the courts

Tarrant County operates several judge-supervised programs aimed at accountability and rehabilitation—such as Veterans Treatment Court, Mental Health Diversion Court, and the First Offender Drug Program. These initiatives are coordinated through the Criminal Courts and Community Supervision and Corrections and typically require prompt application after a case is filed. If you’re considering a specialty docket, review the Criminal Courts program pages first (linked from the criminal courts site above) and check with your attorney about deadlines and eligibility.

Practical steps to manage a criminal case day-to-day

Check your docket frequently as settings can change at short notice.

Arrive early at the Tim Curry Justice Center (401 W. Belknap). Security screening is required.

Bring identification and any paperwork from your attorney.

Confirm courtroom and floor on display monitors or with court staff after security.

Handle fines/fees through the County’s official pages linked from the Criminal Courts site.

Civil litigation roadmap: which building, which court, which record

Civil cases are split between County Courts at Law (moderate-value civil disputes, some appeals) and Civil District Courts (general jurisdiction civil matters). The venues differ by building:

Civil District Courts sit in the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building at 100 N. Calhoun Street (with courts on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors).

County Courts at Law are located in the Tarrant County Courthouse at 100 W. Weatherford Street (rooms listed by court on the Court Listing page).

To review filings, settings, and registers of actions for County Courts at Law, use the County’s official public access portal:

Search civil county and related public records: County Courts at Law Records

Tip: When your citation, petition, or motion lists a district court like the 17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, 141st, 153rd, 236th, 342nd, 348th, or 352nd District Court, plan to appear at Tom Vandergriff. For a County Court at Law (No. 1, 2, or 3), plan for the Courthouse on Weatherford.

Family law proceedings: district-level family courts and IV-D child support dockets

Family cases—divorce, child conservatorship, enforcement, and modifications—are heard by family district courts clustered in the Family Law Center at 200 E. Weatherford Street. The building also houses the IV-D (Child Support) Courts on the first floor. Judges’ floors are posted on the court pages and the Court Listing.

When navigating family matters:

File and track your case through the District Clerk or public records portal where applicable.

Confirm your floor (4th or 5th for family district courts; 1st for IV-D Courts) before your hearing day.

Bring orders and exhibits in triplicate if the court’s standing orders require it.

Allow time for parking and security at the Family Law Center.

Probate and guardianship: where estates and incapacity proceedings are heard

Probate Court No. 1 and Probate Court No. 2 sit in the Tarrant County Courthouse on Weatherford Street. These courts handle the probate of wills and estates, independent and dependent administrations, guardianships of incapacitated persons, and mental health hearings authorized by statute. If your notice lists a room (e.g., 260A or 220A), you’re in the courthouse; use the east entrance for the quickest path to the elevators.

For filings and docket check-ins, verify on the Court Listing page and, where available, look up probate entries through the County’s public records portal noted above.

Juvenile delinquency and related matters: Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center

Juvenile cases (generally for respondents under 17 at the time of alleged conduct) are processed through the 323rd Family District Court at the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center located on Kimbo Road in north Fort Worth. Proceedings here follow Texas Family Code Title 3, which means timelines and confidentiality rules differ from adult criminal cases. If you’re a parent or guardian, arrive 15–20 minutes early for check-in and security, and speak with your attorney or the juvenile probation officer about any requirements for school or counseling records.

First appearances, bonds, and warrants: what to expect at Magistrate Courts

Tarrant County’s Magistrate Courts—located in the Tim Curry Justice Center (Basement)—conduct probable cause hearings, set conditions of release, and address warrants around the clock. This is where newly-arrested individuals are processed for initial judicial review. If you are trying to confirm whether a person has been magistrated or when a bond was set, contact the numbers listed at the end of this article for the Magistrate Courts; after-hours contacts are available and are posted by the County.

Review location and role: Magistrate Courts

Justice of the Peace Courts: small claims, evictions, citations, and more

The Justice of the Peace Courts are Tarrant County’s most accessible trial courts for everyday disputes—small claims, evictions, repair-and-remedy, truancy, and certain Class C misdemeanors. Each precinct court sits at a different location (for example, downtown at the Courthouse, Southlake, Lake Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, and Fort Worth’s Poly Sub-Courthouse). Filing fees, civil forms, and contact details are organized by precinct.

Find your precinct court, forms, and contacts: Justice of the Peace Courts

How to prepare for JP Court:

Verify jurisdiction. File where the property is located (evictions) or where the defendant resides/where events occurred (small claims).

Bring evidence. Photos, invoices, texts, and repair estimates should be printed and organized.

Expect same-day settings. Evictions move quickly under state timelines; be early and ready.

Ask about mediation. Many JP courts encourage pre-trial resolution.

Jury duty made simple: respond, check status, and arrive prepared

Tarrant County centralizes juror communications through its Jury Services office. If you’ve received a summons, use the official e-response system and instructions posted on the County’s site to confirm eligibility, request a lawful excuse or deferral, and check reporting requirements.

Read instructions and manage your summons: Jury Services

Pro tips for jurors:

Complete e-response by the deadline printed on your summons.
Confirm reporting the evening before; panels may be canceled or staggered.
Dress appropriately and prepare for security screening.
Bring reading material; voir dire can take several hours.

Records and public access: where to pull what you need

Residents and litigants can view records through the County’s official portals and on-site terminals. Some divisions offer direct docket tools (criminal and civil district) while others use the County’s consolidated public access system.

Criminal dockets: Use the County’s criminal index for settings and calendars (link above).

County Courts at Law & related records: Use the official Public Access portal (County Courts at Law Records link above) to search by name, case, or filing.

Justice of the Peace and Probate: Many entries are available through the same public access portal used by County Courts at Law.

In-person records: The District Clerk maintains felony records and many district-level civil records; the County Clerk maintains misdemeanor and County Courts at Law records. (Department phone listings appear at the end of this guide.)

When searching, have at least one of the following: full legal name and birth date, cause number, or case type. If a scanned document is hard to read, ask the clerk’s window for assistance with an official copy.

Appeals: where cases go after final judgment

Appeals from Tarrant County’s district and county courts are generally taken to the Second Court of Appeals, headquartered in Fort Worth. Appellate deadlines are short; consult the appellate rules and docket when a notice of appeal is filed. The court’s official site provides filings, opinions, and procedural resources:

Access appellate information: Second Court of Appeals

Buildings and floors: match your task to the right address

Getting to the correct building on the first try saves you time and avoids missed hearings:

Tim Curry Justice Center (401 W. Belknap). Home to most Criminal District Courts, County Criminal Courts, and the Magistrate Courts (Basement). Court floors are grouped by number—e.g., Criminal District Courts across the 5th–8th floors; County Criminal Courts across the 5th–8th floors per the Court Listing.

Tarrant County Courthouse (100 W. Weatherford). Home base for County Courts at Law (civil) and Probate Courts (with room numbers listed on the Court Listing).

Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building (100 N. Calhoun). Headquarters for Civil District Courts: the 17th and 141st (3rd floor), the 48th, 67th, 96th, and 352nd (4th floor), the 236th and 342nd (5th floor), and others as posted.

Family Law Center (200 E. Weatherford). Houses Family District Courts (4th and 5th floors) and IV-D (Child Support) Courts (1st floor).

Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center (Kimbo Road). Dedicated facility for Juvenile Court proceedings and juvenile probation services.

Before you travel, verify your courtroom and floor on the Court Listing page. That single check prevents most day-of-court confusion.

Double-check your courtroom location: View all courts

Step-by-step: prepare for a hearing in any Tarrant County court

1) Confirm the court, date, time, and floor

Use the criminal dockets tool or civil district/County Court at Law access paths listed above. If you still have questions, call the applicable department at the end of this article.

2) Organize filings and exhibits

Most courts require paper courtesy copies for complex motions or trial exhibits. Label everything clearly with the cause number, court, and party names. For JP and eviction matters, bring leases, ledgers, photos, and notices.

3) Plan your arrival and parking

Security screening is standard for all buildings listed here. Plan extra time for elevators during the 8:30–9:00 a.m. rush. If you’re unsure where to stand by, ask the bailiff or coordinator posted near your courtroom.

4) Check in with the coordinator or bailiff

Many courts require a check-in so the judge knows you are present. Attorneys often check in on behalf of clients; self-represented litigants should speak to the bailiff or coordinator outside the courtroom doors.

5) Address accessibility and language access in advance

If you require ADA accommodations or an interpreter, use the County’s posted processes well ahead of your setting. (The Courts homepage includes links to ADA requests and contact points.)

Everyday tasks linked to the right place

Look up a criminal setting by name or case number: use the official criminal courts dockets index (link above).

Search County Court at Law records or Justice/Probate entries: use the County’s Public Access portal for County Courts at Law Records (link above).

Confirm where to report for jury duty or request a deferral: use Jury Services (link above).

Locate your JP court and download forms: use the Justice of the Peace Courts page (link above).

Review magistrate procedures and location: see Magistrate Courts (link above).

Research an appeal or view opinions: visit the Second Court of Appeals (link above).

Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

County Telephone Operator — 100 E. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-1111

Tim Curry Justice Center — 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-1400

Tarrant County Courthouse — 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-1444

Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building — 100 N. Calhoun Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-1460

Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center — 2701 Kimbo Road, Fort Worth, TX 76111 — 817-838-4600

Magistrate Courts — Tim Curry Justice Center, Basement, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-2349 (After hours: 817-884-2812)

District Clerk — Tim Curry Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 — 817-884-1343

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 — 100 W. Weatherford Street, Room 450, Fort Worth, TX 76196-0242 — 817-884-1395

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 — 700 E. Abram Street, Suite 200, Arlington, TX 76010 — 817-548-3925

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 — 6713 Telephone Road, Suite 201, Lake Worth, TX 76135 — 817-238-4435

Tarrant County Courts FAQs

How do I verify which court and judge are assigned to a case?

Start with the county’s master roster to match a case to its division and courtroom. The official, continuously updated index lists every county, district, family, probate, juvenile, JP, and magistrate bench by name and location—use the Court Listing to confirm the correct court before you plan filings or appearances.

Where can I check upcoming criminal settings and daily dockets?

Felony and misdemeanor calendars are posted by the county and searchable by name or cause number. Use the county’s official portal for real-time schedules, cancellations, and resets: Criminal Courts Dockets. This is the authoritative source for appearance dates, courtroom assignments, and sequence of cases.

How do I look up civil, probate, and JP entries online?

Filings, registers of actions, and many images for County Courts at Law, Probate Courts, and Justice Courts are available in the county’s public system. Search by party, attorney, or case number through County Courts at Law Records. Use advanced filters to narrow by case type or filing date, then review the docket detail page for current status.

Which courts handle felonies and misdemeanors in Tarrant County?

Criminal jurisdiction is split by offense level: 11 district courts hear felony matters, and 10 county criminal courts manage misdemeanors and related proceedings. For structure, local rules, and program links (e.g., diversion and specialty dockets), consult Criminal Courts, which centralizes policies, forms, and administrative notices.

How do I find the right Justice of the Peace precinct and file there?

Small claims, evictions, repair-and-remedy, and many Class C matters are filed in the appropriate precinct. The county maintains precinct pages with filing guidance and forms; begin at Justice of the Peace Courts to identify the correct precinct and review local procedures.

What should I do after receiving a jury summons in Tarrant County?

Juror qualification, postponement requests, and reporting updates are managed online. Use the county’s juror portal to complete e-response, check the evening-before reporting status, and review excusal criteria via Jury Services. Bring your summons and follow security and attire guidance provided there.