Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 24.001–24.011 § 24.005107
APPEAL TO COUNTY COURT.
Operative Text
Sec. 24.005107. APPEAL TO COUNTY COURT. (a) A party may appeal the judgment of a justice court in an eviction suit by filing a bond, cash deposit, or statement of inability to afford payment of court costs with the justice court not later than the fifth day after the date the judgment is signed. A tenant who files an appeal must affirm, under penalty of perjury, the tenant's good faith belief that the tenant has a meritorious defense and that the appeal is not for the purpose of delay. An appeal is perfected when a bond, cash deposit, or statement of inability to afford payment of court costs is timely filed with the justice court in accordance with this section. (b) The justice court shall forward the transcript and original papers in an appeal of an eviction case to the county court, by electronic means or otherwise, not earlier than 4 p.m. on the sixth day or later than 4 p.m. on the 10th day after the date the tenant files the appeal, except that, if the court confirms that the tenant has timely paid the initial rent payment into the justice court registry in accordance with Section 24.0053, the court may forward the transcript and original papers immediately.(c) The county court shall hold a trial not later than the 21st day after the date the transcript and original papers are delivered to the county court. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 38), Sec. 7, eff. January 1, 2026.
Under Texas Property Code § 24.005107, either party in a justice court eviction case may appeal the judgment to the county court, but must act within five days of the judgment being signed. A tenant who appeals must swear under penalty of perjury that the appeal is made in good faith and is not merely for delay. Once the appeal is properly filed, the justice court transfers the case record to the county court within a defined window, and the county court must hold a trial within 21 days of receiving those materials.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Texas Property Code § 24.005107 establishes a tight appellate timeline that property owners and managers should be aware of when an eviction judgment is appealed. A compliant operator generally monitors the five-day post-judgment window and prepares to participate in a county court trial that must occur within 21 days of the transcript being delivered. Operators familiar with this provision also understand that the justice court may forward case materials sooner if the tenant has timely deposited rent into the court registry under § 24.0053.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 24.005107, a tenant who wishes to appeal a justice court eviction judgment has no more than five days after the judgment is signed to file a bond, cash deposit, or a statement of inability to afford court costs. As part of that filing, the tenant must affirm under penalty of perjury a good-faith belief in a meritorious defense and that the appeal is not sought merely to delay proceedings. Tenants navigating this process may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the full requirements, including the separate rent-deposit obligation referenced in § 24.0053.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation