Primary Department: District Courts
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Richard Woods
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Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
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Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and approval of a resolution supporting an effort to create nine (9) additional state district courts in Harris County, Texas by the 89th session of the Texas legislature.
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Background and Discussion:
Harris County District Courts are charged with the timely, fair and unbiased administration of justice. Delayed justice costs Harris County citizens financially, personally and emotionally. Ensuring that an adequate level of funding is provided to the Judiciary is essential in affording Texas citizens access to justice and protection from abuse of individual rights.
In 2007, the National Center for State Courts conducted a statewide, 18-month weighted caseload study titled “Measuring Current Judicial Workload in Texas,” to in part, assess the need for additional judicial support. In the final report released in June 2008, the NCSC concluded that in order to “provide for the equitable handling of cases,” Harris County needed a total of 110 Judicial Officers, which represents a shortage of 27, full-time (FTE) Judicial Officers.
In February 2025, the Office of Court Administration for the State of Texas applied the case weights employed in the 2008 NCSC study to the Harris County District Courts filings between January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 and determined a shortage of 28.8 Criminal Court, 25.3 Civil Court and 5 Family Court judicial officers, which represents a shortage of 59 full-time (FTE) Judicial Officers.
Only eight (8) district courts (i.e. 7 criminal and 1 family) have been added in Harris County since 2007.
It is in the best interest of the citizens of Harris County that they be provided with an effective and efficient judicial system. Harris County District Courts need relief. The delays in trials are putting victims at greater risk, jeopardizing witness reliability and availability, negatively affecting the best interest of the children of Harris County, and decreases the number of individuals that are able to obtain justice in Harris County District Courts.
Expected Impact:
Without the addition of new District Courts, clearance of backlog will continue to move at its current pace. Moreover, any unexpected interruption in operations caused by natural disasters or other events, will exacerbate the backlog and result in a loss of progress.
Alternative Options:
None. The approval of the attached Resolution is needed for the Texas State Legislature to consider passing a bill authorizing the creation of new courts.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Anticipated Court Date: 2/27/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Richard Woods, District Courts Administrator
Attachments (if applicable): Resolution for Nine (9) Additional District Courts