Texas Judicial

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About Texas Courts

Specialty Courts in Texas 

Texas Specialty Courts In Action!

August was an impressive month for Texas Specialty Courts! 

First, Bexar County's Veterans Treatment Court as they continue their year-long celebration of their 15th anniversary.  Judge Dominguez and her team hosted a graduation ceremony honoring 35 participants representing five of the six service branches.  Specifically noteworthy was the milestone 1000th graduate! 

Secondly, the final peer reviews were completed for the 2024-2025 grant cycle in Dallas County.  Both the ATLAS and Veterans Treatment Court teams were fantastic hosts and were able to showcase the great work they are doing.  Special thanks to the reviewing teams from Denton and Collin Counties who took time away from their programs to observe and learn!

Top: Erin Morgan and Terri Williams from the Texas Veterans Commission with the 1000th graduate from the Bexar Co. VTC.

Bottom: Erin Morgan and Terri Williams with Judge Dominguez and VTC Director Robert Ruiz.

   Judge Dominique Collins and her Dallas County Veterans Treatment Court team along with Judge Forrest Beadle and the peer reviewers from Denton County.

Picture of courtroom with judge and participants

 

Bexar County Veterans Court team members

 

 

peer review teams

 

Overview

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:

  1. Family Treatment Courts
  2. Adult Treatment Courts
  3. Veterans Treatment Courts
  4. Mental Health Courts
  5. Commercially or Sexually Exploited Persons Courts
  6. Public Safety Employees Treatment Courts
  7. 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.

Registered Specialty Courts

Data Graphics

There are currently 207 registered Specialty Courts in Texas. The graphics below highlight the number of courts by type, the number of courts by county, and the counties with statutory mandates for specialty courts. (updated 9/1/2025).

Number of Courts by Type

Number of Courts per County

Counties with Statutory Mandates for Specialty Courts

 

For questions please contact the Specialty Courts Program Manager Erin Morgan or 512-936-0288.