Texas court deadline

What is the deadline for a motion for new trial in Texas justice court?

In a Texas justice court small claims or debt claim case, a motion for new trial must be filed no later than 14 days after the judgment is signed. That is much shorter than in district court.

What the date means: The last day to file a motion for new trial in a justice court case.
The clock starts: Use the date the justice of the peace SIGNED the judgment. The judgment must be dated the day it was signed. Not the trial date. Eviction cases have their own option below.
Applies to: Justice court small claims, debt claim and repair and remedy cases. Not eviction cases: no motion for new trial may be filed in an eviction case (Rule 510.18(i)).
Rule: Tex. R. Civ. P. 505.3(c); Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4

How to count it

Do not count the starting day. Count 14 calendar days, including weekends and holidays. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not.

Worked example

Say the starting date was Monday, June 1, 2026. Here is each step:

Start: Monday, June 1, 2026. That day itself is not counted.
Count 14 calendar days: Monday, June 15, 2026.
Monday, June 15, 2026 is not a weekend or legal holiday, so it stays.

Under Tex. R. Civ. P. 505.3(c), counting from Monday, June 1, 2026, the computed date is

Monday, June 15, 2026

This is an example only. Your own date depends on your starting date and your court.

Watch out for

This is 14 days — much shorter than the 30 days in district and county court.
You must serve all other parties with a copy no later than the next business day.
Only one new trial may be granted to either party.
If the judge does not rule, the motion is denied automatically at 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day after the judgment was signed (Rule 505.3(e)).
You do not have to file this motion to appeal (Rule 505.3(d)).

Not reviewed by an attorney. ProSeFiler’s deadline rules were written from the official rule text, but no lawyer has reviewed them. Read the rule yourself and confirm every date with the court clerk.

Count your own date.

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Common questions

What is the deadline for a motion for new trial in Texas justice court?

In a Texas justice court small claims or debt claim case, a motion for new trial must be filed no later than 14 days after the judgment is signed. That is much shorter than in district court. The last day to file a motion for new trial in a justice court case.

Does a weekend or holiday change the date?

Yes. If the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that is not one (Tex. R. Civ. P. 4; Tex. R. App. P. 4.1; Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4 in justice court). Courts also close for local reasons, so call the clerk ahead of time.

Who does this rule apply to?

Justice court small claims, debt claim and repair and remedy cases. Not eviction cases: no motion for new trial may be filed in an eviction case (Rule 510.18(i)).

Where does this rule come from?

Tex. R. Civ. P. 505.3(c); Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.4. Read the official text yourself and confirm the date with the court clerk. ProSeFiler last checked this rule against the official text on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Related deadlines

All Texas court deadlines → · Read the official rules →