If you’ve been injured in an accident and your case ends up in Bexar County, Texas, there’s something important you need to know—something that could directly affect how your case is handled, how quickly it moves through the courts, and who ultimately makes the decisions: Bexar County doesn’t run its civil courts like most other places.
Bexar County (home to San Antonio) uses a unique system called the Presiding Court to manage civil cases—including personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. If you’re pursuing compensation for a serious injury, this system can have a real impact on how your case is scheduled, which judge hears it, and how quickly you can get justice.
At Crosley Law, we’ve been working within this system for decades and believe that informed clients are empowered clients. Let’s walk through how the Bexar County Presiding Court system works—and why it matters to you.
What is the Bexar County Presiding Court system?
In most Texas counties, once a lawsuit is filed, the case is assigned to a single judge who manages everything from beginning to end: pretrial motions, hearings, and eventually the trial. But in Bexar County’s 14 civil district courts, things work differently.
Here, civil cases are overseen through a rotating “Presiding Judge” system. One of the county’s 14 judges serves as the Presiding Judge, each for a month at a time. When your case comes up for a hearing, it goes first to the Presiding Courtroom, and then:
- The Presiding Judge may hear your case directly if it’s a simple or uncontested matter, or
- They may assign it to another judge who is available that day
This centralized docket approach is designed to improve efficiency and reduce backlogs—but it’s different from what most people expect and can be confusing without proper guidance.
How the Bexar County Presiding Court system affects personal injury cases
If you’re recovering from a serious car crash, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or coping with a traumatic brain injury, the legal system may already feel overwhelming. But the court handling your case does matter—and Bexar County’s setup brings both advantages and challenges.
Here’s why this impacts you as someone potentially bringing a case before this court:
- You won’t know in advance which judge will hear your case. That means your attorney must be prepared to argue before any of the 14 civil judges and know how to adapt quickly.
- The process can move faster—but only if your attorney understands the system. Cases can be heard more quickly when judges are available on short notice, but only if your legal team is ready with the right evidence, witnesses, and arguments at the right time.
- Consistency in rulings can vary. Some judges may view legal issues differently than others. Experience and familiarity with the local bench matter.
At Crosley Law, we’ve spent years developing strong professional relationships with judges across Bexar County’s civil courts. We know their preferences, procedures, and expectations. We use that insight to give our clients a strategic advantage.
How the Presiding Court dockets work
The timing of proceedings can also differ at the Presiding Court compared to other court systems. Hearings and motions are scheduled at specific times throughout the day in the Presiding Courtroom, located on the second floor of the historic Bexar County Courthouse. Here’s how the daily docket typically looks:
- 8:30 AM: Non-witness matters, like discovery disputes, summary judgments, and pleading issues
- 8:45 AM: Protective order hearings (Tuesdays through Thursdays)
- 9:00 AM: Testimony-based matters, including non-jury trials and injunctions
- 1:30 PM: Walk-up docket for uncontested issues and emergency hearings
- 2:00 PM: Specialized cases—such as tax disputes, cost assessments, and expunctions
Whether your hearing involves complex medical evidence or a straightforward procedural issue, it all begins in the Presiding Court. That’s why it’s essential to have a legal team that’s thoroughly familiar with these rules and rhythms.
Pros and cons of the Bexar County Presiding Court system
Benefits for clients:
- Efficiency. Bexar County processes more civil cases per judge than most major counties in Texas, and often with shorter wait times.
- Flexibility. Judges can fill open time slots by hearing matters from other courts, keeping cases moving.
- Speedier resolution. Minor hearings and uncontested matters can often be resolved more quickly than in a traditional system.
Challenges to be aware of:
- Uncertainty. You may not know which judge will hear your case until the day of the hearing, which can feel unsettling.
- Inconsistency. Different judges may interpret laws and motions differently, affecting the outcome.
- Confusion for outsiders. Attorneys unfamiliar with the system can stumble, causing delays or missed opportunities.
The Presiding Court system is being contested, but remains the same for now
In early 2025, the Bexar County Presiding Court system faced legal scrutiny when Judge Christine Hortick of the 225th District Court challenged it. She argued that the rotating docket created inefficiencies and increased costs for litigants. The 4th Court of Appeals ultimately rejected her request to opt out, reaffirming that all 14 civil district judges must participate.
While this legal debate may continue—possibly even reaching the Texas Supreme Court—the system remains in place for now. And if you’re a plaintiff in a civil case in Bexar County, it’s the system you’ll be dealing with.
Get an experienced attorney to help navigate the system
If you or a loved one is pursuing a claim for serious injuries, understanding how the court system works isn’t just a nice-to-know detail—it’s a real factor in how your case is handled.
Having a legal team that’s not only experienced in personal injury law but also deeply familiar with the local court system gives you an edge. At Crosley Law, we’ve handled thousands of cases in Bexar County’s civil courts, and we’ve built a reputation for being ready, responsive, and respected in the Presiding Court system.
We know how to prepare our clients for hearings—no matter who ends up on the bench. And we know how to keep your case moving forward with the urgency it deserves.
RELATED: What to expect when you call Crosley Law
The bottom line: local knowledge matters
The Bexar County Presiding Court system is one of few of its kind in Texas. It’s designed to improve efficiency, but it also creates challenges that many lawyers—and clients—don’t anticipate.
We use our knowledge and experience to help clients avoid delays, reduce uncertainty, and secure the best possible results. If you’re facing a personal injury claim and want a legal team that knows the local landscape inside and out, we’re here to help.
Call Crosley Law today or visit www.crosleylaw.com to schedule your free consultation. Let us put our experience to work for you.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
