About Texas Courts
Specialty Courts in Texas
Specialty Courts provide specialized direct services (usually substance use or mental health treatment) to participants as an alternative to incarceration in criminal cases or to address child protection issues in civil or family cases. Participants must comply with the terms of the program for typically 12-24 months by remaining clean and sober, not being rearrested, participating in treatment, and attending court review hearings on a regular basis. Specialty Court Programs in Texas must comply with best practice standards approved by the Texas Judicial Council.
There are seven (7) types of Specialty Courts recognized by Statute in Texas:
- Family Treatment Courts
- Adult Treatment Courts
- Veterans Treatment Courts
- Mental Health Courts
- Commercially or Sexually Exploited Persons Courts
- Public Safety Employees Treatment Courts
- Juvenile Family Treatment Courts
In 2019, the 86th Legislature transferred oversight of Specialty Court programs in Texas from the Office of the Governor to the Office of Court Administration under the Texas Judicial Branch through House Bill 2955. As such, OCA is charged with ensuring adherence to best practice standards and offering support and technical assistance to all specialty court programs.
Current List of Registered Specialty Courts
There are currently 201 registered Specialty Courts in Texas. The graphics below highlight the number of courts by type, as well as the number of courts by County. (updated 6/18/24).
