District Courts
Scroll down to read more about the positions, qualifications, elections, and who represents you on the various district courts – Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These positions are countywide and will be on every Tarrant County resident’s ballot when up for re-election.
What is a District Court?
Since Tarrant County is so large, there is more than one District court. Each District Court handles one of the following:
Criminal
Civil
Family
Juvenile
“The district courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. The geographical area served by each court is established by the Legislature, but each county must be served by at least one district court. In sparsely populated areas of the State, several counties may be served by a single district court, while an urban county may be served by many district courts.
District courts have original jurisdiction in felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. While most district courts try both criminal and civil cases, in the more densely populated counties the courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters.” txcourts.gov
Learn More about District Courts
- Watch Civics 101 by 4Tarrant – Learn more about the various Judicial positions in Tarrant County.
- Read an overview about the TX Court Systems.
- Learn about the various courts, including District Courts and County Courts.
- Learn more about the Texas Courts Jurisdiction Maps.
- Texas District Court Map
What is a Trial Court?
In trial courts:
- Witnesses are heard
- Testimony is received
- Exhibits are offered into evidence
- A verdict is rendered
The trial court structure in Texas has several different levels, each level handling different types of cases, with some overlap. The state trial court of general jurisdiction is known as the district court. The county-level courts consist of the constitutional county courts, statutory county courts, and statutory probate courts. In addition, there is at least one justice court located in each county, and there are municipal courts located in each incorporated city.
District Courts in Tarrant County
In Tarrant County, there are 40 total District Courts which includes 27 District Courts and 13 Associate District Courts. Each District Court has 1 Judge that is elected by the community. Each Associate District Court has 1 Associate Judge that is not elected by the community, but chosen by the District Court Judge. Scroll down for more information!
district courts (criminal) (electable)
district courts (civil) (electable)
district courts (Juvenile) (electable)
associate juvenile courts (non-electable)
district courts (family) (electable)
associate family courts (non-electable)
child support (IV-D) courts (non-electable)
CPS courts (non-electable)
ALL POSITIONS ARE HELD BY REPUBLICANS.
Judge, District Court (Civil)
Civil District Courts hear civil cases.
“Note: civil law deals with behavior that injures an individual or other private party, such as a corporation. Examples include libel, breach of contract, property damage, and negligence resulting in injury or death.” Tarrant Votes
The Proposed Annual Maximum Salary for District Judge as of Oct 1, 2021, is $194,399.80.
Melody Wilkinson
Judge, 17th District Court (Civil)
J. Patrick Gallagher
Judge, 96th District Court (Civil)
Susan Heygood McCoy
Judge, 153rd District Court (Civil)
Kimberly Fitzpatrick
Judge, 342nd District Court (Civil)
Judge, Criminal District Court
Criminal District Courts hear felony criminal cases.
“Note: Criminal law deals with behavior that is an offense against the public, society, or the state—even if the victim is an individual.
Felonies are serious crimes; examples include murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, kidnapping, arson, and theft over $1,500 value.” Tarrant Votes
The Proposed Annual Maximum Salary for District Judge as of Oct 1, 2021, is $194,399.80.
Elizabeth H. Beach
Judge, Criminal District Court No. 1
Douglas A. Allen
Judge, Criminal District Court No. 3
David C. Hagerman
Judge, 297th District Court (Criminal)
George Gallagher
Judge, 396th District Court (Criminal)
Ruben Gonzalez
Judge, 432nd District Court (Criminal)
Judge, District Court (Family)
Family District Courts hear family cases.
“Family courts handle divorce, child custody, child support, and related cases.” Tarrant Votes
The Proposed Annual Maximum Salary for District Judge as of Oct 1, 2021, is $194,399.80.
6 Associate Family Judges
Every Family District Court Judge chooses an Associate Judge! An Associate Judge is NOT elected by the community. It is an appointed position.
So remember – when you vote for a Family District Court Judge, you are also voting for who they could choose as Associate Judge! They will likely choose someone from the same political party.
What is an Associate Judge?
Associate Judges The Legislature has authorized the appointment of various judicial officers to assist the judges of the district courts and county-level courts. These judicial officers are usually known as associate judges. They have some, but not all, of the powers of the judges they assist.
Judicial Officers Appointed under Government Code, Chapter 54 and Chapter 54A
Chapter 54A of the Government Code authorizes the appointment of criminal associate judges, civil associate judges, statutory probate court associate judges, and associate judges for juvenile matters to assist district and county-level judges with their caseloads. Chapter 54 also contains provisions for the appointment of masters, magistrates, and hearing officers in certain counties identified by population and the following counties: Bexar, Brazoria, Burnet, Cameron, Comal, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Lubbock, Tarrant, Travis, and Webb. Cases are not directly filed with judicial officers, but are referred to them by district judges and county-level judges. Rather than rendering final orders, the judicial officers generally make recommendations to the referring court. Generally, judicial officers appointed under Chapter 54 and Chapter 54A of the Government Code are appointed by local judges with the consent of the county commissioners court, and the positions are funded by the county.
Associate Judges Appointed under Family Code, Chapter 201
Like judicial officers appointed under Chapter 54 and Chapter 54A of the Government Code, district and county-level judges refer certain cases to associate judges appointed under Chapter 201 of the Family Code. Three types of associate judges are appointed under Chapter 201. Associate judges authorized by Subchapter A of Chapter 201 are appointed by local judges with the consent of the commissioners court and are county employees. They are authorized to hear cases brought under Titles 1, 4 and 5 of the Family Code. Associate judges authorized by Subchapters B and C of Chapter 201 are appointed by the presiding judge of the respective administrative judicial regions and are generally state employees.11 The associate judges appointed under Subchapter B are authorized to hear child support cases. Those appointed under Subchapter C are authorized to hear child protection cases. As of September 1, 2014, there were 45 child support associate judges and 20 child protection associate judges.” – txcourts.gov
Jesus Nevarez, Jr.
Judge, 231st District Court (Family)
Republican
__________________
EXPIRES NOV 2026
___________
Associate Judge: Lindsay DeVos (Republican)
Kenneth Newell
Judge, 233rd District Court (Family)
Republican
__________________
EXPIRES NOV 2026
___________
Associate Judge: Kate Stone (Republican)
James Munford
Judge, 322nd District Court (Family)
Beth A. Poulos
Judge, 324th District Court (Family)
Republican
__________________
EXPIRES NOV 2026
___________
Associate Judge: Lori DeAngeles-Griffith (Republican)
Cynthia Terry
Judge, 325th District Court (Family)
Republican
__________________
EXPIRES NOV 2026
___________
Associate Judge: Kristina Denapolis (Republican)
Patricia Baca Bennett
Judge, 360th District Court (Family)
Republican
__________________
EXPIRES NOV 2024
___________
Associate Judge: Matthew Riek (Republican)
3 Associate Child Support (IV-D) Courts
The Family District Court Judges have significant input on who the 3 Associate Child Support Judges are. 2 Associate Judges! An Associate Judge is NOT elected by the community. It is an appointed position.
What is a Child Support (IV-D) Court?
“The Title IV-D Court hears all Title IV-D child support cases within Tarrant County. Title IV-D cases are those cases in which the Texas Attorney General (OAG) or Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) has provided services under Part D, Title IV, of the Federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §651 et seq., including services relating to the location of an absent parent, determination of parentage, and/or establishment, modification, or enforcement of a child support or medical support obligation.
The child support courts were created in response to the federal requirement that states create expedited administrative or judicial processes to resolve child support cases. The child support court associate judges are appointed by the presiding judges of the administrative judicial regions.
The child support courts hear and dispose of Title IV-D child support establishment and enforcement cases and paternity cases within the expedited time frames established by Chapter 201.110 of the Texas Family Code.
The Title IV-D program is funded with federal and state funds.” – Tarrantcounty
Who is on the Child Support (IV-D) Court?
IV-D Court No. 1
Associate Judge Casey Conine
Court Coordinator: Syamoria Williams – 817-884-2621
Bailiff: Kayla Farris Adams – 817-884-2764
Court Reporter: Serena Davis
Court Leader: Shannon Stroik – 817-884-1722
Court Fax: 817-884-3594
IV-D Court No. 2
Associate Judge Cherami Jenkins
Court Coordinator: Lorraine Robinson – 817-884-3298
Bailiff: Steve Salas – 817-884-3299
Court Reporter: Serena Davis
Court Leader: Shannon Stroik – 817-884-1722
Court Fax: 817-212-7243
IV-D Court No. 3
Associate Judge Sean Cook
Court Coordinator: Veronica Shiflet 817-248-6070
Bailiff: Aaron yee 817-248-6069
Court Reporter: Serena Davis
Court Leader: Shannon Stroik – 817-884-1722
Court Fax: 817-212-7243
2 Associate CPS Courts
The Family District Court Judges have significant input on who the 2 Associate CPS Judges are. 2 Associate Judges! An Associate Judge is NOT elected by the community. It is an appointed position.
What is a CPS Court?
“The specialty child protection courts in Texas were created to assist trial courts in the rural areas in managing their child abuse and neglect dockets. Like the child support court associate judges, these associate judges are appointed by the presiding judges and are OCA employees. At the discretion of the presiding judge, visiting judges are sometimes appointed to hear these cases instead of associate judges.
The judges assigned to these dockets hear child abuse and neglect cases exclusively. Therefore, children can achieve permanency more quickly and the quality of placement decisions should be higher.
Who is on the CPS Court?
Child Protection Court No. 1
Associate Judge Kim Brown – 682-291-9640
Court Coordinator: 682-291-9640
Associate’s Bailiff: 682-291-9641
Child Protection Court No. 1
Associate Judge John Eck: 682-291-9640
Court Coordinator: 682-291-9640
Associate’s Bailiff: 817-884-2217
Judge, District Court (Juvenile)
Juvenile District Courts are family courts devoted to juvenile cases.
“Juvenile courts deal with persons who are at least 10 years old but not yet 17 at the time they committed an act determined to be ‘delinquent conduct’ or ‘conduct in need of supervision’ (CINS).
Delinquent conduct is generally defined as actions that, if committed by an adult, could result in imprisonment or confinement in jail.
CINS includes non-criminal offenses and less serious law violations, including misdemeanors, truancy, running away, driving while intoxicated (DWI) violations, etc.” Tarrant Votes
The Proposed Annual Maximum Salary for District Judge as of Oct 1, 2021, is $194,399.80.
2 Associate Juvenile Courts
The Juvenile District Court Judge chooses 2 Associate Judges! An Associate Judge is NOT elected by the community.
It is an appointed position.So remember – when you vote for the Juvenile District Court Judge, you are also voting for who they could choose as Associate Judge! They will likely choose someone from the same political party.
Alex Kim
323rd District Court (Juvenile)
Republican
__________________
EXPIRES NOV 2026
__________________
Associate Judge: Cynthia Terry (Republican)
Associate Judge: Andy Porter (Republican)
Qualifications
Here are the qualifications for the District Judges.
*Note – It used to be only 4 years of experience, but Republican lawmakers changed it to 8 years.
2-year district resident
prior to the general election
2-year resident of Texas
prior to the general election
Registered to Vote
in Area of Office Sought
8 years experience of
Practicing Lawyer or Judge
Tarrant County Cities
Learn more about your city in Tarrant County!
Commissioner’s Court
Learn more about the Commissioner’s Court!
County Courts
Learn more about the Tarrant County Courts!
Non-Judicial Countywide Officials
Learn more about Non-Judicial Countywide Officials!
Connect
Are you looking to get connected in your community? Check out our Connect page to learn more about what organizations/nonprofits are in your community in Tarrant!
Collaborate
Are you an Organizer or looking to become an Organizer in Tarrant County? Check out our Collaborate page to learn how you can join a Collaborate team with other organizers in Tarrant!