This section gives the Jim Wells County court at law jurisdiction over certain cases, sets judge qualification and salary rules, assigns clerk duties, and provides for six-member juries in some cases.
Sec. 25.1272. JIM WELLS COUNTY COURT AT LAW PROVISIONS. (a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Jim Wells County has the jurisdiction provided by this section. (b) A county court at law in Jim Wells County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in: (1) family law cases and proceedings; (2) Class A and Class B misdemeanors; (3) juvenile cases; and (4) appeals from justice and municipal courts. (c) A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of: (1) suits on behalf of this state to recover penalties or escheated property; (2) felony cases; (3) misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or (4) contested elections. (d) The judge of a county court at law must have the same qualifications as those required by law for a district judge. (e) The judge of a county court at law shall be paid a total annual salary set by the commissioners court at an amount that is not less than $1,000 less than the total annual salary received by a district judge in the county. A district judge's or statutory county court judge's total annual salary does not include contributions and supplements paid by a county. (f) The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at law in matters of concurrent jurisdiction with the district court, except that the county clerk serves as clerk of the court in Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases. The county clerk shall serve as clerk of a county court at law in all other matters. Each clerk shall establish a separate docket for a county court at law. (g) Jurors summoned for a county court at law or a district court in the county may by order of the judge of the court to which they are summoned be transferred to another court for service and may be used as if summoned for the court to which they are transferred. (h) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a county court at law's jurisdiction, 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 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1059 (H.B. 3153), Sec. 2.03(a), eff. January 1, 2015. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 696 (S.B. 2342), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2020.