Municipal Courts

Public Information Office: Press Releases


Municipal Courts Department Celebrates Municipal Courts Week

November 4, 2019 --Municipal Courts Week, a statewide awareness initiative, will commence in Houston, November 4-8, 2019, with a week's worth of activities hosted by the Municipal Courts Department (MCD).

Municipal Courts Week is a chance to highlight the accessible legal forum that we provide to all in making sure court matters are heard in a fair and efficient manner,” stated Judge J. Elaine Marshall, Director and Presiding Judge of the Municipal Courts Department. “It is also a chance to educate drivers on how following basic traffic safety, such as not speeding, always wearing your seatbelts, or not texting while driving, prevents accidents and saves lives. Houstonians are likely to encounter the judicial system at the Municipal Court level more often than any other court. said Judge Marshall.

The Houston Public Library and the Houston Health Department will partner with MCD to host Municipal Courts Clinics at Park Place Library and Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center.

The Municipal Courts Clinics’ purpose is to help people understand how to resolve their court case(s) and outstanding warrant(s).  Helpful court and traffic safety information along with promotional items will be distributed. The clinics are free of charge and no appointments are necessary. The Administration & Regulatory Affairs - Park Houston will also be available to hand out information on parking on Houston streets and in residential neighborhoods. The court clinic schedule is as follows:

  • Tuesday, November 5th, 10am-2pm, Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Community Center – 3810 W. Fuqua St., 77045.
  • Wednesday, November 6th, 10am-2pm, Park Place Library – 8415 Park Place, 77017.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Watch UR BAC will also provide a DWI simulator to show the dangers of impaired driving through a video game atmosphere on our Community Day. The other public Municipal Courts Week activities will take place at the Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse at 1400 Lubbock Street throughout the week and will include: 

  • Juror Appreciation Day, Monday, November 4, 2019.
  • Community Day and High School for Law & Justice School Tour Thursday, November 7, 2019, 10am - 2pm.
  • MCD Employee Appreciation Day, Friday, November 8, 2019.
For more information regarding Municipal Courts Week, contact the department’s Assistant Public Information Officer, Jose E. Soto at jose.soto@houstontx.gov.  For additional information about Municipal Courts or court cases, please visit the website at www.houstontx.gov/courts, or call the Houston Helpline at 3-1-1 or 713.837.0311 if outside of Houston.