Courts in Austin, TX

Home » Personal Injury Resources » Texas » Austin, TX Local Directories » Courts

Austin, TX, has several types of courts, including municipal, county, state, appellate, and federal courts. Each court handles specific kinds of cases. Where your case should be filed depends on what happened, how much money is involved, where the incident took place, and who is involved.

Most personal injury lawsuits in Austin are filed in Travis County’s civil courts. If your claim is smaller, it might be handled by a justice court. Some cases can also go to federal court. If a party wants to challenge a decision, appellate courts in Austin review those cases, but they do not hold new trials for personal injury claims.

Below, you’ll find a directory with addresses, phone numbers, websites, and helpful information for courts in Austin and Travis County.

Table of Contents

Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility

The Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility is where you’ll find the county’s civil district courts and civil county courts at law. These courts handle many types of civil cases, including lawsuits for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.

Cases heard here can include car accidents, slip and falls, unsafe property conditions, negligent security, dog bites, defective products, professional negligence, and wrongful death claims.

Travis County Civil District Courts

Travis County’s civil district courts handle a wide range of civil lawsuits. If you have a personal injury case with significant damages, it will likely be filed in one of these courts.

The Travis County District Clerk manages filings for civil district courts, keeps official records, collects fees, and helps you access case information.

Travis County District Clerk—Civil Division
1700 Guadalupe St, 3rd Floor, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-9457
Visit the Civil District Courts Website
Visit the District Clerk Website

Travis County Civil Courts at Law

The Civil County Courts at Law hear both bench and jury trials for civil cases within their authority. Some personal injury and property damage lawsuits are filed here, depending on the type and value of your claim.

The Travis County Clerk is responsible for keeping records for the Civil County Courts at Law.

Travis County Clerk—Civil Division
1700 Guadalupe St, Suite 4.300 Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-5959
Visit the Civil County Courts Website
Visit the County Clerk Civil Division

Travis County Justice of the Peace Courts

Travis County’s justice courts handle small claims and other civil matters. If your case involves a lower amount of money, such as an injury, property damage, or unpaid bills, you may be able to file in a justice court.

The right justice court precinct depends on where the defendant lives or where the incident happened. Before you file, check with the court or talk to an attorney to make sure you are filing in the correct place.

Third Court of Appeals

The Texas Third Court of Appeals reviews civil and criminal decisions from lower courts in Travis County and nearby counties. This court does not hold new trials or hear new evidence.

If you appeal a decision in your personal injury case from a trial court in this district, your case may go to the Third Court of Appeals.

209 W 14th St, Room 101, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-1733
Visit Website

Supreme Court of Texas

The Supreme Court of Texas is the highest court for civil cases in the state. It reviews only certain civil appeals that meet specific requirements. The Supreme Court does not hold original trials for personal injury cases. Most cases must first go through a trial court and then an appeals court before reaching the Texas Supreme Court.

201 W 14th St, Room 104, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-1312
Visit Website

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas—Austin Division

The Austin Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas handles federal civil and criminal cases from this area.

Your personal injury lawsuit might be filed in federal court if it meets certain requirements. For example, if the parties are from different states and the amount in dispute is high enough, or if your case involves a federal law or a federal defendant, it may qualify for federal court.

Federal jurisdiction is technical, and not every dispute involving an out-of-state person or company belongs in federal court.

US District Court Judge
501 W 5th St, Suite 1100, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 916-5896
Visit Website

Which Austin Court Handles Personal Injury Cases? No single court handles all personal injury claims. The right court for your case depends on several factors, such as:

Where the accident or injury occurred
Where the defendant lives or conducts business
The amount of compensation being sought
Whether the parties are residents of different states
Whether a governmental or federal party is involved
The type of claim being asserted
Whether the matter is an original lawsuit or an appeal

Most personal injury lawsuits in Austin are filed in a Travis County civil district court or a civil county court at law. If your claim is smaller, it may be handled by a Travis County justice court. Some cases may also qualify for federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.

The Third Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Texas review certain decisions made by lower courts.

Filing your case in the wrong court can cause delays, extra costs, or even dismissal. An experienced attorney can help you determine the right court before you file your lawsuit.

How to Find Austin Civil Court Records

Different clerks maintain records for different courts:

Civil district court records: Travis County District Clerk
Civil county court-at-law records: Travis County Clerk
Justice court records: The applicable Justice of the Peace precinct
Federal court records: U.S. District Court and PACER
Appellate records: The applicable appellate court’s case-search system

You can review some court records online, but others must be requested from the right clerk. Access may be limited if a record is sealed or protected by law.

Helpful Court Resources

*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.

Contact our Personal Injury Attorneys for Legal Help After an Injury in Austin

Determining where to file your personal injury lawsuit can be complicated. It depends on jurisdiction, venue, damages, and who is involved. At McMinn Law Firm, we help people injured in car accidents, falls, negligent security incidents, dog bites, unsafe property conditions, workplace accidents, and other negligence-related incidents. A skilled lawyer can investigate your claim, identify the appropriate court, comply with filing requirements, and pursue compensation on your behalf.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Austin, TX

McMinn Law Firm – Austin, TX Office
502 W 14th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222