8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
Run for State Trial Court Judge - Criminal in TX
Election Date: Mar 3, 2026Filing Deadline: Dec 8, 2025
Election Details
- Office level: state
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: $140000/year
- Filing period: Nov 8, 2025 - Dec 8, 2025
- Positions: Dallas County Criminal District Court Judge - Seat 1Dallas County Criminal District Court Judge - Seat 7Dallas County Criminal District Court Judge - Seat 5Dallas County Criminal District Court Judge - Seat 6Jefferson County Criminal District Court Judge...
Job description
The district courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount in controversy (the amount of money or damages involved) is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed exclusively in another trial court.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be a citizen of U.S. and resident of Texas; age 25 to 74; resident of the district for 2 years; and have a practicing lawyer or judge in the State, or both combined, for 8 years. During which time the judge's license to practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.
FAQ
How often is State Trial Court Judge - Criminal elected?
The position of State Trial Court Judge - Criminal is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in TX?
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 a filing fee of $1,500. The filing fee may be waived if the petition has been signed by at least 500 valid electors. Candidates in Bexar, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant Counties have a higher filing fee of $2,500 and must also receive 250 petition signatures (or 750 signatures in lieu of a filing 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.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the office of the county party chair; Independent candidates must submit paperwork to the county judge's office.
Where is the filing office?
Independents: James E. Rudder Bldg. 1019 Brazos St. Austin, Texas 78701; Republicans: 211 E. 7th Street, Suite 915 Austin, Texas 78701; Democrats: 1106 Lavaca Street, #100 Austin, Texas 78701.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling Independent: 800.252.8683; Republicans: (512) 478-9800; Democrats: (512) 477-9821.
How do I get started running for State Trial Court Judge - Criminal?
You can start running for State Trial Court Judge - Criminal by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for State Trial Court Judge - Criminal includes a primary, but not a runoff election.
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