Duties:
The Comal County Court at Law is a special statutory county
court created by the State Legislature.
To efficiently, impartially and fairly manage and resolve the
variety of controversies and disputes that are filed with and
fall under the jurisdiction of this court.. Criminal and
family law cases represent the bulk of the case load
for this court.
County Court Judge
Judge Charles A. Stephens, II
Court Administrator
Tammy Green
Court Reporter
Dana Dance
Bailiff
Dana Myers
150 N. Seguin, Suite 301,
New Braunfels,
Texas 78130
Phone: 830-221-1180
Fax: 830-620-0465
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm
Contact With The Court
"A Judge...shall not directly or indirectly initiate,
permit, nor consider ex parte or other private
communications concerning the merits of a pending or
impending judicial proceeding. A Judge shall require
compliance with this subsection by court personnel subject
to his or her direction and control... " Judicial Code of
Conduct Cannon 3 Section A(5)
The County Court at Law
Courtroom is located on the second floor of the old
courthouse building in downtown New Braunfels.
See driving directions
Court begins at 8:30
a.m. Hearings are set for 8:30 am or 1:30 pm. All
hearings are open to the public.
All defendants should be
prepared to pay Court cost on the day his/her case
is disposed of. It is the Courts recommendation that
defendants bring a minimum of $500.00 to cover cost
and fees. The county accepts Mastercard, Visa,
money orders, cashier's checks and cash. NO
CHECKS.
The Court Administrator
does not accept filings. All documents must be filed through the Comal County
Clerk’s Office. With the exception of condemnations
and forcible detainers, all Civil matters must be
mediated prior to a trial request being made.
All trial requests must be made in writing. To
set a hearing on a motion, you should contact the
Court Administrator at (830) 221-1180.
Policies &
Procedures:
GENERAL: All
dockets may be
viewed on-line beginning one week before the hearing
date in .pdf format. Each Court's calendar may be
viewed on their respective website to determine
available dates.
CIVIL/FAMILY: No hearing will
be set on a civil matter without the appropriate
Defendants and attorneys are
required to be present at each hearing. Motions to
Withdraw and Motions for Continuance will not be
granted automatically, and without an appearance.
Cases will be re-set only after agreement of the
state and defendant and approval by the court. A
third pre-trial hearings will not be set without the
filing of pre-trial motions.
All requests for
transcripts must be in writing, designating the case
style, date of hearing, portion(s) of hearing
requested, and copies of exhibits, if any.
The
Comal County Courts at Law hear serious cases, cases
where individuals could be jailed, could be ordered
to pay money damages, or could even lose custody of
their children. These are serious matters, and all
individuals in attendance should dress and act
accordingly.
Proper Courtroom
attire means:
No caps
No piercing (other
than ears)
No sunglasses
No shorts
No midriff shirts
No baggy trousers
No cell phones
No pagers
No slouching or
sleeping in the courtroom.
No weapons of any
sort, including guns, knives, ect. (all individuals
who enter the Courthouse are subject to search, and
violation of this rule may result in your arrest).
Jurisdiction:
The Comal County Courts
at Law have jurisdiction over all class A and B
misdemeanor criminal cases and all civil cases filed
in the County Courts. These Courts also have
jurisdiction in probate and guardianship matters.
The Comal County Courts at Law also hear traffic and
other appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts.
Additionally, the Comal County Courts at Law and the
District Courts share concurrent jurisdiction over
all domestic relations cases, such as divorce,
modifications and adoptions. The Comal County Courts
at Law and the District Courts also share concurrent
jurisdiction over cases involving mental
commitments, juvenile matters, and civil cases in
which the matter in controversy ranges from $501.00
to $100,000.00 excluding interest, statutory or
punitive damages and penalties, and attorney’s fees
and costs.”
Hearings:
All hearings, court
trials and jury trials are to be set with the Court
Administrator.
A copy of the
Court's
calendaris available online.
A party requesting a
hearing is required to notify all parties and copy
the Court.
A hearing is
required for all summary judgment motions.
A hearing is
required for all motions to transfer.
Judgments:
Agreed judgments
must be signed by all attorneys and parties.
Judgments (i.e.,
court, jury, divorce decrees) must be signed by all
attorneys.
Uncontested matters
require submission of a judgment or decree at the
time of hearing.
All requests for
transcripts must be in writing, designating the case
style, date of hearing, portion(s) of hearing
requested, and copies of exhibits, if any.
