<P> The Texas District Courts form part of the Texas judicial system and are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas . As of September 2011, 456 district courts serve the state, each with a single judge, elected by partisan election to a four - year term . </P> <P> District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, land title disputes, election contests, civil matters in which at least $200 is disputed or claimed in damages, as well as other matters . Most district courts consider both criminal and civil cases but, in counties with many courts, each may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters . </P>

State district judges in texas are selected by