Art. 4.05 JURISDICTION OF DISTRICT COURTS

Here's what this rule means for you if you're involved in a criminal case in Texas.

District courts (and criminal district courts) handle felony cases. If you're charged with a felony, your case will start in one of these courts, not a lower court like a county or justice court.

These courts also handle certain misdemeanor cases, but only in specific situations. One example is when the misdemeanor involves official misconduct, meaning a government official or public servant is accused of abusing their position while committing the offense. Another example is when a misdemeanor case gets transferred to district court from another court, which can happen under specific procedures set out elsewhere in the law.

For most people, the key takeaway is simple. If you're facing felony charges, expect your case to be in district court. If you're facing a regular misdemeanor, it will usually stay in a lower court unless it involves official misconduct or gets transferred for another legal reason.