About Texas Courts

Specialty Courts in Texas

LEGISLATIVE CHANGE

House Bill 16 was passed in the Second Special Session of the 89th Legislature, which included an update to Chapter 121 which governs specialty courts. Specifically, the bill changes the requirement for a specialty court to register with OCA from a CSCD strategic plan to a participant handbook or a policy and procedures manual.

Text of subsection effective on December 04, 2025

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a specialty court program may not operate until the judge, magistrate, or coordinator:

(1) provides to the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System:

(A) written notice of the program;

(B) any resolution or other official declaration under which the program was established; and

(C) a copy of the program policy manual, participant handbook, or other adopted documentation describing the operational plan of the program; and

(2) receives from the office written verification of the program's compliance with Subdivision (1).

August Highlights

As the fiscal year (and grant cycle for many of our programs) wrapped up, we completed the Training for Trainers project with the National Center for State Courts. Thank you to all of our specialty court practitioners from across the state who stepped up to deliver these foundational and role specific curricula where it is needed!

Congratulations go out to all of our Veterans Treatment Courts who were awarded granted from the Texas Veterans Commission and were able to take part in their fun "Big Check Tour"!

We finished the month with an emotional International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st. In McLennan County, the Specialty Courts team led by Judge Rob Swanton turned the courthouse purple during their candlelight event. Several community members shared their stories of family members who sadly lost their struggle with addiction. It was a profound ceremony that is sure to grow in years to come.


Statewide Training for Trainers from top: Adult Foundational, Prosecutor Role Specific, Mental Health Foundational, and Defense Attorney Role Specific	North Texas Region Big Check Event from top left: Dallas County VTC, Denton County VTC, Collin County VTC, Ellis County VTC, and Tarrant County VTC.

	McLennan County Specialty Courts hosted a candlelight vigil and turned their courthouse purple in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day.

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:

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 214 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 9/1/2026).

Number of Courts by Type

Number of Courts per County

Counties with Statutory Mandates for Specialty Courts

For questions please contact the Specialty Courts Team!

Program Manager: Erin Morgan or 512-771-0114

Program Specialist: Amber Ward