Is the following statement true: Municipal courts have concurrent jurisdiction with justice courts over state law violations that occur in the geographic jurisdiction of the city?

Is the following statement true: Municipal courts have concurrent jurisdiction with justice courts over state law violations that occur in the geographic jurisdiction of the city?

• A. True
• B. Not specified
• C. Depends
• D. False

Answer: (A)

Two courts share authority to hear the same type of offenses inside a city. In Texas, both municipal courts and justice courts have original jurisdiction over state law violations that are Class C misdemeanors. That means a violation occurring within city limits can be brought in either court, giving it concurrent jurisdiction. In practice, the city’s procedures and where the case is filed often point to the municipal court if a city has one, but the law allows that such offenses could be heard in the justice court under the right circumstances. This is why the statement is true: within city limits, both courts can hear these state-law offenses.

Two courts share authority to hear the same type of offenses inside a city. In Texas, both municipal courts and justice courts have original jurisdiction over state law violations that are Class C misdemeanors. That means a violation occurring within city limits can be brought in either court, giving it concurrent jurisdiction. In practice, the city’s procedures and where the case is filed often point to the municipal court if a city has one, but the law allows that such offenses could be heard in the justice court under the right circumstances. This is why the statement is true: within city limits, both courts can hear these state-law offenses.