Texas District Courts

District courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. Hays County is served by four district judges, several of whom divide their time among other counties as provided for by state law. The geographical area served by each court is established by the Legislature, but each county must be served by at least one district court. District judges are elected and are employees of the State of Texas, although their staffs may be employees of specific counties in which they hear cases.

District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, including juvenile felony cases. Hays County Court-at-Law judges hear misdemeanor juvenile 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 in another trial court.

The Legislature has authorized the appointment of associate judges to assist the district courts in a variety of cases, including civil, family, juvenile and criminal matters. Generally, associate judges are appointed by the court or courts they serve and can be either county or state employees. Associate judges hear cases referred to them by district judges.

All District Court trials in Hays County are conducted at the Hays County Criminal Justice Center, 110 E. Martin Luther King Drive (MLK), San Marcos, Texas 78666.

District Judges Serving Hays County

District Judge, 22nd Judicial District
Charles R. Ramsay (R)
Phone 512-393-7700
Fax: 512-393-7713
Email: djcr@co.hays.tx.us
Court Administrator (Criminal): Martin L. Allen
Court Administrator (Civil): Jimmie Kitchen
Serves Hays, Caldwell and Comal Counties
Term expires 2012

District Judge, 207th Judicial District
Jack Robison (R)
Phone 512-393-7700
Fax 512-393-7713
Email dcajhr@co.comal.tx.us
Court Administrator (Criminal): Martin L. Allen
Court Administrator (Civil): Jimmie Kitchen
Serves Hays, Comal and Caldwell Counties
Term expires 2010

District Judge, 274th Judicial District
Gary Steel (R)
Phone: 512-393-7700
Fax: 512-393-7713
Email: eestrada@co.guadalupe.tx.us
Court Administrator (Criminal): Martin L. Allen
Court Administrator (Civil): Jimmie Kitchen
Serves Hays, Comal and Guadalupe Counties
Term expires 2010

District Judge, 428th Judicial District
Bill Henry (R)
Phone: 512-393-7700
Fax: 512-393-7713
Email: bill.henry@co.hays.tx.us
Court Administrator (Criminal): Martin L. Allen
Court Administrator (Civil): Jimmie Kitchen
Serves Hays County
Term expires 2010

Associate Judges Serving Hays County
Brenda Smith
Phone: 512-393-7700
Fax: 512-393-7713
Email: brsmith@co.hays.tx.us
Court Coordinator: John Whitinger
Appointed by District Judges to hear Family Court cases

 

Angelita Mendoza-Waterhouse
District Court Master
P.O. Box 1728
Austin, TX  78767-1748
Phone: 512-854-6453
Fax: 512-854-6452
Email: diane.walters@courts.state.tx.us
Court Coordinator: Diane Walters
Appointed by the 3rd District Administrative Judge to hear Child Support cases

 

Karen Bonicoro
150 N. Seguin, Suite 317
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Phone: 830-221-1197
Fax: 830-608-8210
Email: dcakdg@co.comal.tx.us
Court Coordinator: Karen Garcia
Appointed by the 3rd District Administrative Judge