Austin Courthouses
Austin, the capital of Texas. It’s the cultural, technological, and economic mecca of the American Southwest. Boasting a population of just over 850,000, Austin is the 11th largest city in the United States and is the third fastest growing city in the nation.
The city is notable for many things—liberal politics (much to the disdain of many Texans), the Colorado River, Willie Nelson, South by Southwest, the Whole Foods Market headquarters, and the Texas Longhorns.
If you are an "Austinite" with a court case in Travis County, you know there are a myriad of courthouses servicing the five-county Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. If you have a criminal, civil, family law or probate matter, it’s likely in one of the district, county, or associate courts.
Here’s we’ve highlighted six key court systems you’ll most likely encounter: the Travis County District, County, and Associate courts, the Court of Appeals for the Third District of Texas at Austin, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Supreme Court of Texas, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, U.S District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Travis County District, County Courts, and Associate Courts
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Criminal Division
Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, 509 West 11th, 8th floor
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 854-9244
Divisions: Criminal
Note: The Travis County Criminal Court System is comprised of seven District Courts, six County Courts, and one Drug Court. If you are here during the lunch hour, check out the many street vendors in the downtown area.Parking: This courthouse does not have a parking lot. Metered parking is available on all streets surrounding the courthouse. Meters take cash and credit cards. There is also a parking lot at Central Parking System 510 West 11th Street (between San Antonio & Nueces Streets). Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Criminal District Courts
The District Criminal Courts preside over felony cases and all misdemeanors. Once a felony case is indicted by a grand jury, the case is assigned to one of the seven District Courts.
3rd Floor
427th District Court: (512) 854-3663
6th Floor
403rd District Court: (512) 854-9808
7th Floor
390th District Court: (512) 854-4885
8th Floor
147th District Court: (512) 854-9311
167th District Court: (512) 854-9310
299th District Court: (512) 854-93539th Floor
331st District Court: (512) 854-9443
Magistrate Court: (512) 854-9099Criminal County Courts
County Court Three: (512) 854-9243
County Court Four: (512) 854-9896
County Court Five: (512) 854-9676
County Court Six: (512) 854-9677
County Court Seven: (512) 854-9679
County Court Eight: (512) 854-7180Drug Diversion Court
2201 Post Road
South Building
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 854-4646
Note: This program is an alternative to the traditional court system for those charged with felony drug offenses. See website for additional eligibility criteria.Parking: Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
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Civil Division
Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse, 1000 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78701
Divisions: Civil, Family
Note: The Travis County Civil Court system is comprised of ten District Courts, four Associate Courts and two County Courts at law. If you are here during the lunch hour, check out the many street vendors in the downtown area.Parking: This courthouse does not have a parking lot. Metered parking is available on all streets surrounding the courthouse. Meters take cash and credit cards. In addition, the following public lots are available within walking distance. There is also a parking lot at Central Parking System 510 West 11th Street (between San Antonio & Nueces Streets). Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Civil District Courts
The District Civil Courts handle all divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, and civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more.
3rd Floor
250th District Court, 3rd Floor: (512) 854-9312
261st District Court, 3rd Floor: (512) 854-9309
419th District Court, 3rd Floor: (512) 854-40234th Floor
53rd District Court, 4th Floor: (512) 854-9308
126th District Court, 4th floor: (512) 854-9313
354th District Court, 4th Floor: (512) 854-93745th Floor
98th District Court, 5th Floor: (512) 854-9307
200th District Court, 5th Floor (512) 854-9306
201st District Court, 5th Floor: (512) 854-9305
353rd District Court, 5th Floor: (512) 854-9380Associate Civil Courts
These courts primarily hear child support matters.
1st Floor
Judge Leonard Saenz: (512) 854-9300
Judge John Hathaway: (512) 854-93004th Floor
Judge J. Andrew Hathcock: (512) 854-9300
5th Floor
Judge James L. Arth: (512) 854-9300
Civil County Courts
These courts hear civil bench trials and jury trials.
County Court at Law 1: (512) 854-9241
County Court at Law 2: (512) 854-9242Probate Court
Probate court handles wills of deceased persons, declares the heirs of deceased persons who die without a will, establishes guardianships for incapacitated persons and minors, supervises court-ordered involuntary mental health commitments, and administers all eminent domain cases initiated in Travis County.
Probate court also hears lawsuits related to an estate of a decedent or ward and by or against a personal representative of a decedent’s or ward’s estate.
Judge Guy Herman: (512) 854-9258
Judge Dan Prashner: (512) 854-9258
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Juvenile Courts
Gardner Betts Juvenile Center, 2515 South Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Tel: (512) 854-7000
Note: There’s usually a staff member at the front desk with a list of the juvenile hearings and where they are located. This list does not always include the CPS calendar, but front desk staff will be able to assist you if you are not sure where you are going.
Parking: Gardner Betts is located on South Congress, one block South of Oltorf. You may park anywhere along the street or in the parking lot in spots that are not reserved. Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Texas State Appellate Court
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The Court of Appeals for the Third District of Texas at Austin
Price Daniel Sr. Building, 209 West 14th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 463-1733
Note: This court has jurisdiction over criminal and civil appeals from both district and county courts. If you are requesting an appeal, call the courthouse directly or seek legal assistance.
Parking: This courthouse is in the heart of the downtown Capitol Complex area. Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
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The Court of Criminal Appeals
Supreme Court Building, 201 West 14th Street, Room 106
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 463-1551
Parking: This courthouse is in the heart of the downtown Capitol Complex area. Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Note: This is the highest court for criminal cases in Texas. If you are requesting an appeal, call the courthouse directly or seek legal assistance.
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The Supreme Court of Texas
Supreme Court Building, 201 West 14th Street, Room 104
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 463-1312
Note: This court does not accept fax or email filings. Your attorney must file through the Tex.gov filing system.
Parking: This courthouse is in the heart of the downtown Capitol Complex area. Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Bankruptcy and Federal Courts
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas
Homer J. Thornberry Federal Judicial Building, 903 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 322
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 916-5237
Parking: This courthouse is in the heart of the downtown Austin. Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Note: This location handles all bankruptcy proceedings for Travis County residents. If you’re filing for bankruptcy, click here for more information.
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U.S District Court for the Western District of Texas
United States District Courthouse, 501 West Fifth Street, Suite 1100
Austin, TX 78701
Tel: (512) 916-5896
Parking: This courthouse is in the heart of the downtown Austin. Consider taking Capital Metro public transportation.
Note: This location handles all federal cases.
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