Small claims courts are included in each state’s court system and are designed for the resolution of disputes involving a limited dollar amount—and for the parties to the dispute to represent themselves (pro se). Small claims courts are often referred to as the People’s Court, and some states such as California prohibit attorneys from representing parties in small claims court. The limit on the amount of money in dispute (the jurisdictional limit) varies from state to state within a range of $2,500 to $25,000—but is usually between $5,000 and $15,000. The disputes filed in small claims courts are often seeking to recover a debt or involving residential landlord-tenant disputes. Judges in small claims courts in some states are called Justices of the Peace, and the courts are sometimes referred to as JP courts.
In Texas, small claims courts are part of the justice court system and are intended for the resolution of minor disputes involving monetary claims. As of the knowledge cutoff in 2023, the jurisdictional limit for small claims in Texas is $20,000. Parties in small claims court typically represent themselves, known as 'pro se' representation, although they are allowed to have an attorney if they choose. These courts handle a variety of cases, including debt recovery and landlord-tenant disputes. The judges presiding over these courts are indeed referred to as Justices of the Peace. The informal nature of small claims court is designed to simplify the legal process so that non-attorneys can effectively present their cases without the complexities of formal court procedures.
