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You want to know what to do and how to be best prepared for your upcoming trial. At this point you have delivered a notice to vacate, and you have filed for your eviction. Generally speaking, it takes 21 days to reach your trial date at the courthouse.Within that time you should receive a trial notice from the Court. This time frame is enough time for the court to process your eviction, schedule it and then send notice of the Eviction to the defendant. It’s actually a pretty speedy process, particularly here in Harris County.

Know where the Courtroom is located

Number one – you want to make sure you know where the courtroom is, since it’s not the exact same place where you filed the lawsuit. You may be in the same building, but the courtroom may be on a totally different floor or on the opposite side of the building from where you filed.

Typically, you are going to file with the clerks but your goal is to get to the judge at the time of trial. The court room is usually pretty easy to find, but some of the older courthouses are set up an odd ways.

Get to the Court Early

Make sure you get to court at least 30 minutes early. If you know you have an 8 a.m. start time, I recommend getting there at least a half-hour earlier because there are a couple of things to think about.

First, a lot of times these courtrooms are filled with people. You might find a hundred people at the courthouse at the same time. Additionally, courthouses don’t just do trials, they do a number of other things. County business varies, especially in some of the more densely populated counties, and you can have a large groups of people registering vehicles at the same time, when you think you’re in the line for trial. Make sure you’re in the right spot at the right time.

Don’t lose your case by showing up late

Another reason to show up early is because cases get dismissed. This is probably the most important reason. If you miss that docket call, your case could be dismissed.

The docket call is the part of the trial when the clerks call all the names of the plaintiffs and defendants in these cases. It’s as simple as showing up at the time and say, “Here.” If you’re not there to say that, there’s a good chance that your case is going to be put in a pile of dismissals.

Call the Court if you’re going to be late
Here is a listing of the Justice Courts in Harris County

  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Place 1     
    • 7300 N Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77091  
    • 713-274-0695
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Place 2     
    • 1302 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002 
    • 713-274-0632
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Place 1
    • 10851 Scarsdale Blvd, Houston, TX 77089 
    • 281-481-9630
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Place 2     
    • 101 South Richey Pasadena TX 77506        
    • 713-274-6100
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Place 1     
    • 14350 Wallisville Rd, Houston, TX 77049  
    • 713-274-0760
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Place 2     
    • 701 W Baker Rd, Baytown, TX 77521        
    • 713-274-0900
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 Place 1     
    • 6831 Cypresswood Dr, Spring, TX 77379   
    • 713-274-6550
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 Place 2     
    • 7900 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble, TX 77338       
    • 713-274-2450
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Place 1     
    • 6000 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77081       
    • 713-661-2276
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Place 2     
    • 16715 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084  
    • 713-274-0840
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6 Place 1     
    • 333 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77011       
    • 713-274-3985
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6 Place 2     
    • 1001 S Sgt Macario Garcia Dr, Houston, TX 77011        
    • 713-274-8774
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7 Place 1     
    • 5737 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77021       
    • 713-274-1499
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7 Place 2     
    • 5300 Griggs Rd, Houston, TX 77021 
    • 713-274-0700
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8 Place 1     
    • 7330 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505    
    • 281-479-6900
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8 Place 2     
    • 16603 Buccaneer Ln, Houston, TX 77062   
    • 281-488-8780


So, if you’re going to be late I recommend that you call the court. When you call the court, you may have to ask for the Civil Department or the Eviction Department. Let them know, “Hello, I’m XYZ, the Plaintiff in case number XXXXXXXXXX; I was supposed to be there at 9 o’clock, it’s 8:55, but there’s no way I’m going to be there on time, but I am headed there.”

Even if you’re late, if the Court Clerk knows you’re coming, they might not put you in that pile of dismissals. Certain judges have different rules about what constitutes late and what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable. Naturally, you are recommended to show up on time. But if you are going to be late, give the court a call, it’s always best and it’s better than having to refile and start the entire process over.

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