What to Expect at a Fort Bend County Justice Court Eviction Hearing

Eviction hearings in Fort Bend County are held in Justice of the Peace courts. The overall rules come from Texas law, so the steps match what you would see anywhere in Texas. After a landlord files, the court issues a citation, a constable serves it, and the citation sets a trial date. Under the Texas rule that took effect for cases filed on or after January 1, 2026, that trial date is set 10 to 21 days after the petition is filed, and a trial cannot happen until 4 days after you are served.

How your court runs hearings is more local. Some Fort Bend JP courts use video hearings through Webex, and some hold eviction dockets on set days. For example, Precinct 1, Place 1 posts its eviction docket on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm. Because this varies, read the hearing notice you were given and call the court to confirm whether you attend in person or by video, and when to arrive. A judge may allow video, but the rules say a party generally cannot be forced to appear electronically unless everyone agrees, so ask the court if you have trouble with video.

If you do not show up, the court may enter a default judgment against you. If you can come, bring your lease, your payment records, your Notice to Vacate, any texts or emails with your landlord, and photos if repairs are part of your situation. The judge decides the case on the legal issues in front of them, not on hardship.

What to do.

Confirm the time and format with the court, plan to arrive early, and bring copies of your documents. Ask a legal aid advocate to look at your papers before the hearing if you can.

Every eviction case is different, so it's always a good idea to confirm the details with a qualified legal advocate before making any decisions. NeighborSTAND's Resources page lists legal aid for Fort Bend County.