Tex. Gov't Code Section 24.003
Transfer of Cases; Exchange of Benches


(a)

This section applies only to counties with two or more district courts.

(b)

Unless provided otherwise by the local rules of administration, a district judge in the county may:

(1)

except as provided by Subsection (b-1), transfer any civil or criminal case or proceeding on the court’s docket, other than a case governed by Chapter 155 (Continuing, Exclusive Jurisdiction; Transfer), Family Code, to the docket of another district court in the county;

(2)

hear and determine any case or proceeding pending in another district court in the county without having the case transferred;

(3)

sit for another district court in the county and hear and determine any case or proceeding pending in that court;

(4)

temporarily exchange benches with the judge of another district court in the county;

(5)

try different cases in the same court at the same time; and

(6)

occupy the judge’s own courtroom or the courtroom of another district court in the county.

(b-1)

Notwithstanding the local rules of administration, a district judge may not transfer any civil or criminal case or proceeding to the docket of another district court without the consent of the judge of the court to which it is transferred.

(c)

If a district judge in the county is sick or otherwise absent, another district judge in the county may hold court for the judge.

(d)

A district judge in the county may hear and determine any part or question of any case or proceeding pending in any of the district courts, and any other district judge may complete the hearing and render judgment in the case or proceeding. A district judge may hear and determine motions, including motions for new trial, petitions for injunction, applications for the appointment of a receiver, interventions, pleas in abatement, dilatory pleas, and all preliminary matters, questions, and proceedings, and may enter judgment or order on them in the court in which the case or proceeding is pending without transferring the case or proceeding. The district judge in whose court the matter is pending may proceed to hear, complete, and determine the matter, or all or any part of another matter, and render a final judgment. A district judge may issue a restraining order or injunction that is returnable to any other district court.

(e)

A judgment or order shall be entered in the minutes of the court in which the case is pending.

(f)

This section does not limit the powers of a district judge when acting for another judge by exchange of benches or otherwise.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 90, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 3.02, eff. January 1, 2012.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 962 (H.B. 1875), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Source: Section 24.003 — Transfer of Cases; Exchange of Benches, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­24.­htm#24.­003 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

24.001
Age Qualification of Judges
24.002
Assignment of Judge or Transfer of Case on Recusal
24.003
Transfer of Cases
24.004
Special Judge by Agreement of Parties
24.006
Salary of Special Judge
24.007
Jurisdiction
24.008
Other Jurisdiction
24.009
Jurisdictional Amount if Parties Properly Join in One Suit
24.010
Jurisdiction of Failure to Pay over Certain Money
24.011
Writ Power
24.012
Terms and Sessions of Court
24.014
Special Terms
24.015
Procedure at Special Term
24.016
Appointed Counsel
24.017
Proceedings in Multicounty Districts
24.018
Certain Effect of District Reorganization
24.019
Expenses of District Judge
24.020
Jurisdiction over Commissioners Court
24.021
Incompetency
24.022
Effect of Transfer of Certain Cases Following Creation of Additional Court
24.023
Obligations
24.024
Filing and Docketing Cases
24.025
Supplemental Compensation
24.026
Appointment of Initial Judge
24.027
Grand and Petit Jurors
24.028
Cases Transferred
24.029
Processes, Writs, and Other Obligations Remain Valid
24.030
Location of Court
24.031
Court Officers
24.033
Location of Proceedings Following Certain Disasters
24.034
Assignment of Cases in District Courts in Hidalgo County
24.0125
Terms and Sessions of Court Following Certain Disasters
24.301
Application of Subchapter
24.306
Juvenile Boards
24.310
Special District Courts
24.601
Jurisdiction
24.602
Terms
24.603
Judge
24.604
Appointment of Retired Judge to Sit for Regular Judge
24.605
Court Officials, Personnel, and Facilities
24.606
County Juvenile Board
24.607
Court Style
24.901
Criminal Judicial District of Dallas County
24.902
Dallas County Criminal Judicial District No
24.903
Dallas County Criminal Judicial District No
24.904
Dallas County Criminal Judicial District No
24.905
Dallas County Criminal Judicial District No
24.906
Dallas County Criminal Judicial District No
24.907
Dallas County Criminal Judicial District No
24.908
El Paso County Criminal Judicial District No
24.910
Tarrant County Criminal Judicial District No
24.911
Tarrant County Criminal Judicial District No
24.912
Tarrant County Criminal Judicial District No
24.913
Tarrant County Criminal Judicial District No
24.920
Criminal Judicial District of Jefferson County
24.941
Declaration of Policy
24.942
Definitions
24.943
Official Duty
24.944
Duties
24.945
Rules and Conditions for Reapportionment
24.946
Procedure
24.947
Reapportionment Orders
24.948
Effect of Reapportionment
24.949
Pending Cases and Proceedings
24.950
Equalization of Dockets
24.951
Concurrent Jurisdiction
24.952
Terms of Courts
24.953
Officers of Court
24.954
Quarters for Courts

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 24.003’s source at texas​.gov