Job description
Hears traffic and other Class C misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only. Hears civil cases with up to $10,000 in controversy. Hears landlord and tenant disputes. Hears truancy cases. Performs magistrate duties. Conducts inquests.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be at least 18 years old, must be a US citizen, must be a registered voter in the precinct the office is sought, must be a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, and a precinct resident for 6 consecutive months. Candidate must not have been finally convicted of a felony from which they have not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities. Candidate must not have been determined by a court with probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 1844 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201 (Democrats); 10300 Heritage Blvd, Suite 240, San Antonio, TX 78216 (Republicans); 101 W Nueva St, 10th Floor, San Antonio, TX 78205 (Independents)
Filing phone number: 210-504-0507 (Democrats); 210-824-9445 (Republicans); 210-335-3019 (Independents)
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the office of the county party chair; Independent candidates must submit paperwork to the county judge's office.
Filing requirements: Major party-affiliated candidates should file an application for a place on the ballot to their respective county party chair. This should be accompanied by either a filing fee of $375 or a nominating petition with a number of signatures equal to the 2% of the number of votes cast in the previous general election in this district (or 500, whichever is lower). Candidates in counties with at least 200,000 inhabitants must pay a filing fee of $1,000. For candidates running in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant counties, a 250-signature judicial petition is required in addition to the filing fee, or 750 signatures in lieu of a fee. Minor party candidates should consult with their respective party chair to determine requirements. Independent candidates should file a Declaration of Intent to Run as an Independent Candidate during the primary filing period. In addition, independent candidates will need to collect a number of signatures equal to 5% of the number of votes cast within the district in the most recent gubernatorial election (or 500 signatures whichever is lower) in support of their application for a place on the general election ballot and submit these to the county judge. All forms can be found on the Texas Secretary of State website.