Anderson County Texas

Sammye Griffey, Elizabeth Attaway, Judge Jeff Doran

Contact the Court at Law:

The Historic Anderson County Courthouse
500 North Church Street, Third Floor
Palestine, Texas 75801
Phone (903)-723-7469
Fax (903)-723-7814
Office Hours: 8am - 5pm (closed 12p-1p for lunch)

IF YOU ARE GOING TO COURT HERE ARE THE RULES OF DRESS AND DECORUM

      

We are honored to serve the people of Anderson County in the Court at Law.

The Anderson County Court at Law was created by the Texas Legislature to serve the people as a readily accessible forum with broad jurisdiction.  Our goal is to be available all day, every day; to provide prompt settings; to give parties the opportunity, within the rules, to be heard; to treat everyone who comes to the court with courtesy and respect; and to follow the law.

This court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the district courts in cases of divorce, child custody, child support, child abuse and neglect, probate, trusts, criminal felonies, and civil cases with amounts in controversy from $500.00 to $200,000.00.  This court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county court in probate, guardianship, mental health, civil, and criminal misdemeanors.  The court also has jurisdiction over appeals from the justice and municipal courts.

The Court at Law is the designated Juvenile Court for Anderson County, and Judge Doran has served as Chair of the Juvenile Board since 2003.  He also serves as Chair of the Bail Bond Board.

For over 4o years Judge Doran has had a singular commitment, both professionally and personally, to the welfare of children.  Generations of children have benefited from his devotion to them as a teacher, lawyer, advocate, coach, mentor, and youth leader.  Judge Doran brought his focus on children to the work of the court.  He has been widely recognized, including by the Children’s Commission of the Texas Supreme Court, for his innovative and effective methods of ensuring that the court’s first priority is to meet the needs of the children who come before it.  One newspaper has called him a “Champion for Children.”

Judge Doran graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Theology and History from Christian Brothers University.   He received his Juris Doctor Degree with Law Review Honors from Loyola University School of Law.  Judge Doran also has a Certificate of Special Competence from the Texas College for Judicial Studies.   

Elizabeth Attaway, Court Coordinator

Mrs. Attaway has served the people of Anderson County as Court Coordinator for over 10 years.  She dedicates her days to giving prompt, helpful, and cheerful service to those who contact the court.  If you have a question about court procedures, dockets and case status, or want to set a case on the docket, she will assist you.  If you have been summoned to jury service, Mrs. Attaway will help you determine your eligibility for an exemption and answer any other questions you may have.  Even if you find yourself in the wrong place, she will see that you are directed to the proper place.

Mrs. Bennett makes an accurate record of court proceedings.  She will transcribe the record of a hearing or trial upon receipt of a written request specifying the case name and number and the date of the proceeding.  She will respond with an estimate of the cost of the record and will begin transcription when arrangements for payment have been confirmed.  The written request may be made at the offices of the court or by contact form.