Tarrant County county criminal courts have defined criminal jurisdiction and no civil jurisdiction, with specific rules for judges, court reporters, and bailiffs.
Sec. 25.2223. TARRANT COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT PROVISIONS. (a) A county criminal court in Tarrant County has jurisdiction over all criminal matters and causes, original and appellate, prescribed by law for county courts, but does not have civil jurisdiction. In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, a county criminal court in Tarrant County has concurrent original jurisdiction of criminal cases with a district court other than felony cases involving capital murder. The County Criminal Courts Nos. 9 and 10 of Tarrant County also have concurrent jurisdiction within the county of all appeals from criminal convictions under the laws of this state and the municipal ordinances of the municipalities located in Tarrant County that are appealed from the justice courts and municipal courts in the county. (b) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 2.017(b), eff. September 1, 2023. (c) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3, Sec. 4.50(a)(85), eff. January 1, 2012. (d) Repealed by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 746, Sec. 70, eff. Oct. 1, 1991. (e) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3, Sec. 4.50(a)(85), eff. January 1, 2012. (f) The judge of a county criminal court shall be paid an annual salary in an amount that is not less than $1,000 less than the total annual salary, including supplements and salary increases, paid any district judge in the county. (g) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3, Sec. 4.50(a)(85), eff. January 1, 2012. (h) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3, Sec. 4.50(a)(85), eff. January 1, 2012. (i) The official court reporter of a county criminal court is entitled to the same fees and salary as a district court reporter and shall perform the same duties and take the oath of office as provided by law for district court reporters. (j) At least two bailiffs shall be assigned regularly to each county criminal court in Tarrant County. Except as provided by Subsection (j-2), each judge of a county criminal court shall appoint one officer to act as bailiff of the judge's court, and the sheriff of Tarrant County shall appoint a bailiff for each court as prescribed by law. The bailiffs serve at the pleasure of the court and shall perform the duties required by the judge of the court to which the bailiffs are assigned. (j-1) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 2.017(b), eff. September 1, 2023. (j-2) The judge of a county criminal court may authorize the sheriff to appoint all bailiffs in the judge's court. If the sheriff is authorized by a judge to make the judge's appointment under this subsection, the sheriff shall appoint at least two officers to act as bailiffs for the judge's court. A bailiff appointed under this subsection serves at the pleasure of the court and shall perform the duties required by the judge of the court to which the bailiff is assigned. (k) Section 25.0007 does not apply to a county criminal court in Tarrant County. (l) The County Criminal Courts Nos. 5 and 6 of Tarrant County shall give preference to cases brought under Title 5, Penal Code, involving family violence as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, and cases brought under Sections 25.07, 25.072, and 42.07(a)(2), Penal Code. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 4.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 38, Sec. 2, eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 5, Sec. 2(c), eff. March 22, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 746, Sec. 70, eff. Oct. 1, 1991; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 317, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 131, Sec. 1, eff. May 16, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 7.002(n), 9.001(b), eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 934 (S.B. 1887), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 4.50(a)(85), eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 96 (S.B. 743), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1352 (S.B. 346), Sec. 4.11, eff. January 1, 2020. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 934 (H.B. 3774), Sec. 2.10, eff. January 1, 2023. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 2.017(a), eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 2.017(b), eff. September 1, 2023.