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Precinct Two
Justice of the Peace Judge Cathy Penn
PUBLIC NOTICE FROM THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 2
Please note, all criminal and civil court hearings have been postponed until further notice. Parties will be notified of their new court date at the address and/or email address on file.
In order to continue to serve the public and protect everyone’s health, the office is closed to public foot traffic. We understand this may be an inconvenience for some and this will only last as long as necessary. There are still many ways to transact business or deal with court case issues, including by telephone, email, facsimile or mail.
If you need assistance or have any questions, we encourage you to leave us a message at (972) 204-6730, or email us at jp2court@rockwallcountytexas.com. We will respond to emails no later than the next business day.
For on-line payments for Precinct 2 cases only click here
For self-represented parties, guide and file forms are accessible here.
NEW: Civil matters in Precinct 2 may be e-filed at www.efiletexas.gov, the state e-filing portal.
Weddings: By emergency declaration, no external events may take place at the Courthouse.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Judge Cathy Penn
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2
Rockwall County, Texas
Temporary Standing Order #1 Regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Mitigation
Temporary Standing Order #2 Regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Mitigation
Temporary Standing Order #2 Regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Mitigation
Payments may be made by credit / debit card (2.35% service charge applies), money order, cashier's check, cash (exact change preferred), or personal check (in state account only)
Dismissal of Tickets
Tickets for an expired driver's license, or license plate may be considered for dismissal. You must get the problem remedied, pay any additional fees as required by Texas Transportation Code 502.045(d) and present proof of this to the Court not later than the 20th working day or before the defendant’s first court appearance date, whichever is later. The Judge will then consider dismissal of the ticket with a $20 fee.
Other offenses may be eligible for dismissal through completion of a Driver Safety Class or by meeting court ordered terms for Deferred Disposition. Proof of valid Texas driver's license and insurance must be presented to the Court when applying for a Driver Safety Class.
Plea Options
Learn about the plea choices available for traffic offenses.
Plea Options
About Class C Misdemeanors
In addition to Class C traffic offenses, the Justice of the Peace Court also handles a variety of criminal Class C misdemeanors. Some of the more common offenses include:
- Disorderly Conduct
- Assault
- Public Intoxication
- Minor in Possession of Alcoholic Beverage and/or Tobacco
- Shoplifting
Your Options as the Accused
A defendant accused of one of these crimes has the absolute right to plead Not Guilty and request a trial by Judge or Jury. That choice is yours. You are not required to have an attorney in court, but you may hire one if you wish. The District Attorney of Rockwall County will have an attorney present to prosecute the case against you. The Judge is prohibited, by law, from discussing your ticket with you unless you have plead guilty or no contest or the District Attorney is also present.
If you choose to go to court, you are responsible for bringing all papers, pictures, and exhibits with you to the court hearing. You may also contact the Court for information on how to subpoena witnesses.
You may also plead Guilty or Nolo Contendre (no contest) and pay the fine amount or you may pursue the Driver Safety Class or complete the Application for Deferred Disposition. Defendants under 17 who receive citations are required to enter a plea in open court before the judge, with their parents.
Please call the office at (972) 204-6730 for fines.
Pay Your Ticket Online
Payments may be made by credit / debit card (2.35% service charge applies), money order, cashier's check, cash (exact change preferred), or personal check (in state account only)
Disclaimer
The matters discussed here are for informational purpose only. Nothing on this site should be construed as a legal advice. For legal advice, you should speak to an attorney.
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State Bar of Texas |
(800) 204-2222 |
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Texas Young Lawyers Assoc. |
(512) 427-1529 |
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Helping Hands - Rockwall |
(972) 771-4357 |
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Texas Law Help |
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Justice Court Suits
Justice Courts are governed by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
This Court accepts filings for Small Claims Suits and for Debt Claims Suits. If you have any procedural questions, please contact our Civil Clerk at (972) 204-6730.
This court cannot answer any legal questions.
Small Claims
A small claims case is a lawsuit brought for the recovery of money damages, civil penalties, personal property, or other relief allowed by law. The claim can be for no more than $10,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees, if any. Details on the Small Claims process are included on the Small Claims Petition:
Download a Small Claims Petition
A debt claim case is a lawsuit brought to recover a debt by an assignee of a claim, a debt collector or collection agency, a financial institution, or a person or entity primarily engaged in the business of lending money at interest. The claim can be for no more than $10,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees, if any:
Debt Claims
A debt claim case is a lawsuit brought to recover a debt by an assignee of a claim, a debt collector or collection agency, a financial institution, or a person or entity primarily engaged in the business of lending money at interest. The claim can be for no more than $10,000, excluding statutory interest and court costs but including attorney fees, if any:
Download a Debt Claim Petition
Debt Claims/ Small Claims Defendant Answer
Should you receive judgment, the court does not collect the judgment. However, you may request an Abstract of Judgment, and/or Writ of Execution, and/or a Writ of Garnishment to help you in collection of this judgment. Refer to the Small Claims or Debt Claim Petition for more information.
Payments may be made by credit / debit card (2.35% service charge applies), money order, cashier's check, cash (exact change preferred), or personal check (in state account only).
Debt Claims/ Small Claims Defendant Answer
Judgment
Should you receive judgment, the court does not collect the judgment. However, you may request an Abstract of Judgment, and/or Writ of Execution, and/or a Writ of Garnishment to help you in collection of this judgment. Refer to the Small Claims or Debt Claim Petition for more information.
Payments may be made by credit / debit card (2.35% service charge applies), money order, cashier's check, cash (exact change preferred), or personal check (in state account only).
Disclaimer
The matters discussed here are for informational purpose only. Nothing on this site should be construed as a legal advice. For legal advice, you should speak to an attorney.
Self-Help Packets
You're a Defendant in a Debt Claim Suit
You're a Plaintiff in Small Claims Suit
You're a Defendant in a Small Claims Suit
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State Bar of Texas |
(800) 204-2222 |
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Texas Young Lawyers Assoc. |
(512) 427-1529 |
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Helping Hands - Rockwall |
(972) 771-4357 |
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Texas Law Help |
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Eviction
All eviction suits must be filed in the Justice of the Peace Precinct where the property is located. It is important to understand that the Judge is neither an advocate for the landlord or tenant, and each case is tried on its own individual merit.
To locate information about Precincts please use the Precinct Finder.
Repair and Remedy
A Repair and Remedy case is a lawsuit filed by a residential tenant under Chapter 92, Subchapter B of the Texas Property Code to enforce the landlord's duty to repair or remedy a condition materially affecting the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant. The relief sough can be for no more than $10,000, excluding statutory interests and court costs, but not including attorney fees, if any.
If you need more information, please call the Justice of the Peace office at (972) 204-6730.
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
Disclaimer
The matters discussed here are for informational purpose only. Nothing on this site should be construed as a legal advice. For legal advice, you should speak to an attorney.
| Legal Resources | ||
|---|---|---|
| State Bar of Texas | (800) 204-2222 | www.texasbar.com |
| Texas Young Lawyers Assoc. | (512) 427-1529 | www.tyla.org |
| Helping Hands - Rockwall | (972) 771-4357 | www.rockwallhelpinghands.com |
| Texas Law Help | www.TexasLawHelp.org | |
Listing of Forms
- Affidavit for Driving and Specialized Safety Course
- Affidavit for Driving and Specialized Safety Course in Spanish
- Affidavit of Inability to Pay Fines or Court Costs
- Declaración jurada de incapacidad para pagar multas o costos de la Corte
- Application for Deferred Disposition
- Application for Deferred Disposition in Spanish
- Plea Sheet
- Plea Sheet - Spanish
- Application for Driving Record
- Petition for Small Claims
- Petition for Eviction
- Petition for Repair and Remedy
- Petition for Debt Claim
- Debt Claim/ Small Claim Defendant's Answer
- Steps for Filing for an Occupational Driver License (ODL)
- Discovery Local Rules Rockwall County JP Pct. 2
A Justice of the Peace has the authority to:
- Issue warrants for search and arrest
- Conduct preliminary hearings
- Administer oaths
- Serve as a coroner in counties where there is no provision for a medical examiner
- Serve as a trial court judge for Class C misdemeanors
- Serve as an administrative court judge for a variety of miscellaneous court procedures