Montgomery County Judicial System
Located 40 miles north of Houston, Montgomery County is home to nearly half a million Texans. In May 1997, then-Governor George W. Bush signed House Resolution 1123 officially commemorating Montgomery County as “the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.” Dr. Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery County was named as the creator of the “inspirational banner.”
After the lumbering industry that has been the county’s primary employer and economic force dwindled because of the Great Depression, Montgomery County experienced a remarkable revival when oil was discovered near the county seat of Conroe. This prosperity led to population increases and a construction boom.
Today, this county continues to grow as much as any other in Texas. Local authorities find more than enough ways to stay busy.
Criminal Defense Lawyer in Montgomery County
If you are arrested in this part of the greater Houston area, you will want to be sure that you have an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the many courts, judges, and prosecutors in Montgomery County.
Matt Horak has been board certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He fights to protect the rights of clients facing all types of criminal charges in Conroe, The Woodlands, and many other communities in Montgomery County. You can have Horak Law review your case by calling our firm at (713) 225-8000 or toll-free at [phone-tollfree] to take advantage of a initial consultation.
Overview of Montgomery County Judicial System
- What is a JP court?
- How many municipal courts are there in the county?
- What kinds of cases are handled by the county courts at law?
- What is the jurisdiction of district courts?
- Are there other types of court offices in Montgomery County?
- Where can I learn more about the judicial branch?
Montgomery County Justice of the Peace Courts
Also called “justice courts” or “JP courts,” justice of the peace courts are the lowest level of courts in Texas. In Montgomery County, JP courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases that are punishable by fine only, or Class C misdemeanors. Montgomery County has five-justice of the peace precincts, although one judge serves over two locations for Precinct 1.
The five precincts in Montgomery County include:
Justice of the Peace Precinct 1Willis Location
300 South Danville
Willis, Texas 77378
(936) 539-7801 or (936) 856-7949
Montgomery Location
19380 Highway 105 West
Suite 507
Montgomery, Texas 77356
(936) 788-8374 or (281) 364-4200
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
2241 North 1st Street
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-3788
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
1520 Lake Front Circle
Suite 100
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
(281) 364-4284 or (936) 539-7803
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
22354 Justice Drive
New Caney, Texas 77357
(281) 577-8970 or (936) 521-8970
Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
19100 Unity Park Drive
Magnolia, Texas 77355
(281) 259-6494 or (936) 539-7806
Montgomery County Municipal Courts
In Montgomery County, municipal courts generally share jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors with justice of the peace courts, but they have exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances that occur within the city limits. Municipal court judges are typically required to be licensed to practice law and they also have the authority to issue search warrants, arrest warrants, and emergency protection orders.
Most municipal courts are not courts of record, meaning they do not have a clerk or reporter to take down a record of any proceedings. If an alleged offender is convicted in a municipal court, he or she can appeal to a county court at law or district court for a new trial called a trial de novo.
Some of the municipal courts in Montgomery County include:
Conroe Municipal Court
700 Old Montgomery Road
Conroe, Texas 77305
(936) 522-3380
Cut and Shoot Municipal Court
14391 Highway 105 East
Cut and Shoot, Texas 77306
(936) 264-3100
Magnolia Municipal Court
18111 Buddy Riley Boulevard
Magnolia, Texas 77354
(832)934-0605
Montgomery Municipal Court
101 Old Plantersville Road
Montgomery, TX 77316
(936) 597-6866
Oak Ridge North Municipal Court
27424 Robinson Road
Oak Ridge North, TX 77385
(281) 292-8736
Panorama Village Municipal Court
99 Hiwon Drive
Panorama Village, TX 77304
(936) 856-2821
Patton Village Municipal Court
16940 Main Street
Splendora, TX 77372
(281) 689-9511
Shenandoah Municipal Court
29955 Interstate 45
Shenandoah, TX 77381
(281) 419-9886
Splendora Municipal Court
26090 FM 2090 East
Splendora, TX 77372
(281) 399-1352
Woodbranch Village Municipal Court
58 A Woodbranch Drive
New Caney, TX 77357
(281) 399-2300
Willis Municipal Court
200 North Bell
Willis, TX 77378
(936) 856-4611
County Courts at Law in Montgomery County
In Montgomery County, the county courts at law have jurisdiction over Class A misdemeanors and Class B misdemeanors. The county courts also have appellate jurisdiction over justice of the peace court and municipal court cases.
The Texas Constitution limited each county to a single county court at law, but the Legislature created additional statutory county courts for larger counties. Thus, there are technically five county courts at law in Montgomery County, but four of these are located in different rooms of the same physical location:
County Court at Law 1
Atrium Building
210 West Davis
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7831
County Court at Law 2
Atrium Building
210 West Davis
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7832
County Court at Law 3
301 North Main
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7973
County Court at Law 4
210 West Davis
Suite 400
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8174
County Court at Law 5
210 West Davis
Suite 250
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-3615
Montgomery County District Courts
District courts have jurisdiction over felony cases. Certain less populated areas of Texas may have multiple counties served by a single court, but counties with larger populations can have multiple district courts.
For example, the 31st District Court in the northern panhandle area of Texas serves five different counties, while Harris County—being home to the largest city in Houston—has 59 district courts. Montgomery County is also an example of the latter with seven district courts:
9th District Court
207 West Phillips
Suite 306
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7866
221st District Court
207 West Phillips
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7808
284th District Court
301 North Main
Suite 201
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7861
359th District Court
207 West Phillips
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7900
410th District Court
301 North Main
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 539-7860 or (281) 364-4200
418th District Court
301 North Main
Suite 217
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-3618
435th District Court
301 North Main
Suite 113
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-3532
Other Judicial Offices in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, TX, also has several other state offices connected to the judicial system that have unique functions. These other judicial offices in Montgomery County include three special court programs for alleged offenders who are either dealing with specific crimes such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or have military backgrounds:
Montgomery County Drug Court
207 West Phillips
Suite 302
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8107
Montgomery County DWI Court 207 West Phillips
Suite 302
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8107
Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court
300 North Main
Room 304
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8170
Additionally, Texas has nine different administrative judicial regions. Every region has a presiding judge appointed by the governor who is responsible for implementing regional rules of administration, advising local judges on judicial management, acting for local administrative judges in their absence, and recommending changes to the Supreme Court for the improvement of judicial administration.
Montgomery County is in the Second Administrative Judicial Region which is also composed of Angelina, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Matagorda, Newton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington, and Wharton Counties.
Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas
301 North Thompson
Suite 102
Conroe, Texas 77301
(936) 538-8176
All non-death penalty case appeals of district court or county court at law rulings go to the Texas Court of Appeals. There are 14 districts for these courts, and Montgomery County is included in the Ninth Court of Appeals in Beaumont.
The court of last resort for all criminal cases in the Lone Star State is the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA). This court is located in the state capital of Austin.
Montgomery County Judicial System Resources
Montgomery County Court Clerk — Visit the official website for the Montgomery County clerk in the state of Texas. Access the site to download important forms, request an e-file, look up someone’s criminal records and more.
Texas Office of Court Administration — You can find all sorts of information about the judicial branch of Texas on this website. In addition to information about specific courts, there is also a calendar of upcoming events, latest news items, and several rules and forms. There are also links to publications, judicial data, and programs and services.
Find a Lawyer in Houston for Montgomery County
Are you seeking legal representation following an arrest in Montgomery County? Matt Horak is a Houston-based criminal defense attorney who is admitted to practice in state courts throughout Texas, including the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.
Whether you were charged with a traffic crime such as reckless driving in The Woodlands or you are facing charges relating to possession of a controlled substance in Conroe, Horak Law will work tirelessly to achieve the most favorable possible outcome to your case. Contact our firm today at (713) 225-8000 or toll-free at [phone-tollfree] to schedule a confidential consultation that will allow Matt Horak to evaluate your case.
