A statutory county court judge must post a bond before starting office, and the commissioners court must approve it. A county may use insurance instead of the higher bond for guardianship or probate judges, and the county commissioners court must pay that premium.
Sec. 25.0006. BOND; REMOVAL. (a) Notwithstanding any other law except Subsection (a-4), Subsections (a-1), (a-2), (a-3), and (a-5) control over a specific provision for a particular court or county that attempts to create a requirement for a bond or insurance that conflicts with those subsections. (a-1) Before beginning the duties of the office, the judge of a statutory county court must execute a bond that: (1) is payable to the treasurer of the county; (2) is in the amount set by the commissioners court of: (A) subject to Paragraph (B), not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000; or (B) for a judge presiding in the court over guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section 1002.015, Estates Code, or over probate proceedings, as defined by Section 22.029, Estates Code, not less than $500,000; and (3) is conditioned that the judge will: (A) faithfully perform all duties of office; and (B) for a judge presiding in the court over guardianship or probate proceedings, perform the duties required by the Estates Code. (a-2) The bond executed as required by Subsection (a-1) must be approved by the commissioners court. (a-3) In lieu of the bond required by Subsection (a-1)(2)(B), a county may elect to obtain insurance against losses caused by the gross negligence of a judge of a statutory county court in performing the duties of office. The commissioners court of a county shall pay the premium for the insurance out of the general funds of the county. (a-4) This section does not apply to: (1) a judge of a statutory probate court who executes a bond, obtains insurance, or self-insures pursuant to Section 25.00231; or (2) a judge who presides over a county criminal court. (a-5) A bond executed under Subsection (a-1) by the judge elected or appointed to a statutory county court or an insurance policy obtained under Subsection (a-3) shall provide the same coverage to a visiting judge assigned to the court or associate judge appointed to serve the court as the bond or insurance policy provides to the judge elected or appointed to the court. (b) The judge of a statutory county court may be removed from office in the same manner and for the same reasons as a county judge. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 4.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 515 (S.B. 40), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 521 (S.B. 626), Sec. 66, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 576 (S.B. 615), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (S.B. 387), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.