This section sets the jurisdiction of statutory county courts in Galveston County, limits certain cases, sets salary-related rules for judges, gives court reporters compensation rights, and allows a six-member jury rule in some cases.
Sec. 25.0862. GALVESTON COUNTY STATUTORY COURT PROVISIONS. (a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, and except as limited by Subsection (b), a statutory county court in Galveston County has: (1) the jurisdiction provided by the constitution and by general law for district courts; and (2) appellate jurisdiction in all appeals in criminal cases from justice courts and municipal courts in Galveston County. (b) A statutory county court does not have jurisdiction of: (1) felony cases, except as otherwise provided by law; or (2) election contests. (c) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 9.003. (d) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 9.003. (e) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 9.003. (f) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3, Sec. 4.50(a)(37), eff. January 1, 2012. (g) The judge of a statutory county court shall be paid an annual salary that is not less than the total annual salary, including supplements and contributions, paid a district judge in the county. The salary shall be paid out of the general fund of the county by warrants drawn on the county treasury on order of the commissioners court. (h) A bond is not required of the judge of the County Court No. 1, 2, or 3 of Galveston County. (i) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 472 (S.B. 41), Sec. 5.01(c)(2), eff. January 1, 2022. (j) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3, Sec. 4.50(a)(37), eff. January 1, 2012. (k) The official court reporter of each statutory county court and each statutory probate court is entitled to the same compensation, paid in the same manner, as the official court reporters of the district courts in Galveston County. Each reporter is primarily responsible for cases in the reporter's court. (l) Each reporter may be made available when not engaged in proceedings in their court to report proceedings in all other courts. Appeals and writs of error may be taken from judgments and orders of the County Courts Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of Galveston County and the judges, in civil and criminal cases, in the manner prescribed by law for appeals and writs of error. Appeals from interlocutory orders of the County Courts Nos. 1, 2, and 3 appointing a receiver or overruling a motion to vacate or appoint a receiver may be taken and are governed by the laws relating to appeals from similar orders of district courts. (m) Section 25.0006(b) does not apply to County Court No. 1, 2, or 3 of Galveston County. (n) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a county court at law's jurisdiction as provided by Subsection (a), the jury shall be composed of six members unless the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law requires a 12-member jury. Failure to object before a six-member jury is seated and sworn constitutes a waiver of a 12-member jury. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 4.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 5.02(b), eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 1, Sec. 15.06, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 746, Sec. 25, 70, eff. Oct. 1, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 818, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 635, Sec. 3(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 904, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 9.003, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 265 (H.B. 7), Sec. 6.004, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 4.24, eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 4.50(a)(37), eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 696 (S.B. 2342), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2020. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 472 (S.B. 41), Sec. 5.01(c)(2), eff. January 1, 2022.