Harris County commissioners will move forward with a request to Texas lawmakers for the creation of five additional civil district courts by 2027 to address the county's longstanding court backlog.
The move comes after commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of the resolution during a Feb. 27 Commissioners Court meeting.
The gist
Harris County joins Brazoria and Fort Bend counties in their requests for the creation of additional district courts as continued population and business growth occurs in the region. Officials from both Brazoria and Fort Bend counties are asking lawmakers to create two additional courts per county.
More than a dozen local members of the judicial system spoke at the February meeting calling for change. Lauren Reeder serves on the 234th Harris County District Court and said delays in justice will continue without additional courts and associated resources, impacting businesses and individuals waiting for a resolution.
Quote of note
“Harris County is a beacon for economic growth and prosperity. We send rockets to space, we cure cancer, we create the energy to fuel the world. But when those industries and businesses and the people that build them have disputes and are hurt, our doorstep is where they come,” Reeder said. “So we can't continue to advertise that Harris County is an economic beacon without investing in a robust justice system where disputes are resolved timely and thoughtfully.”
Voting in favor were Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis dissented while Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from the vote.
Briones said in a news release she believes the county’s rapid growth calls for a justice system that can keep pace.
“I am committed to working with the Legislature on sustainable funding, aiming for a justice system that is fair, efficient and accessible for all Harris County residents,” Briones said.
The plan
In 2023, Harris County officials worked with state legislators to secure an additional six new criminal district courts and a probate court to address the court backlog. While the 2025 motion called for nine additional courts, only five were approved. County Administrator Diana Ramirez said revenue costs and securing a location for the new courts will be part of the plan.
“New revenue will not get us there. We will have to dig and cut. That’s going to be hard,” Ramirez said.
The provisional plan commissioners approved would be a two-year process, including:
- Adding three civil district courts in 2026
- Adding two civil district courts in 2027
The cost
Expenses associated with the additional courts are estimated to cost the county at least $2.5 million-$3.5 million for each court, Engineering Department Executive Director Milton Rahman said.
