Bell County, located in Central Texas, has its own court system and procedures within the framework of Texas state law. Understanding local practices is essential whether individuals are facing charges or pursuing a civil claim.
Bell County Court System
Bell County operates multiple courts handling different types of cases. Knowing which court handles a matter helps individuals understand the process ahead.
District Courts
Bell County has four District Courts (27th, 146th, 169th, and 426th) handling:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases over $200,000
- Family law matters including divorce
- Juvenile cases
County Courts at Law
Bell County has three County Courts at Law handling:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases (Class A and B)
- Civil cases between $500 and $200,000
- Appeals from Justice of the Peace courts
- Probate matters
Prosecutors & Contacts
- Bell County Attorney’s Office — Prosecutes Class A/B misdemeanors in County Courts at Law. Location: Bell County Courthouse Annex, 550 East 2nd Avenue, Belton, TX 76513. Main line: (254) 933-5161 (County Clerk main switchboard; ask for County Attorney).
- Bell County District Attorney (Stephanie Newell) — Prosecutes felonies in District Courts.
Justice of the Peace Courts
Five Justice of the Peace precincts handle:
- Class C misdemeanors (fine-only offenses)
- Small claims civil cases up to $20,000
- Evictions
- Truancy cases
Bell County Courthouse Information
Main Courthouse
Bell County Justice Center
1201 Huey Drive, Belton, TX 76513
The main facility houses District Courts and County Courts at Law.
Municipal Courts
Local cities maintain their own municipal courts for city ordinance violations and certain Class C misdemeanors:
Killeen Municipal Court — 714 N. 2nd Street, Killeen, TX 76541
Temple Municipal Court — 210 N. Main Street, Temple, TX 76501
Belton Municipal Court — 520 E. Central Avenue, Belton, TX 76513
Local Legal Considerations
Military Community
Bell County is home to Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), one of the largest military installations in the world. This creates unique legal considerations:
Service members facing charges have additional rights and considerations. Military personnel may face both civilian and military legal proceedings. Attorneys familiar with military-civilian interactions provide valuable guidance for service members and their families.
Population Centers
Bell County’s major cities each have their own character and legal landscape:
Killeen — The largest city in Bell County, closely connected to Fort Cavazos. High volume of cases in local courts.
Temple — Major medical and commercial center. Significant personal injury caseload due to traffic volume and medical facilities.
Belton — County seat where most District Court proceedings occur.
Harker Heights, Copperas Cove — Growing communities with increasing court activity.
Finding Legal Representation in Bell County
Why Local Experience Matters
Attorneys who regularly practice in Bell County courts understand local procedures, know the prosecutors and judges, and can navigate the system efficiently on behalf of their clients. The attorneys featured on this site have experience in Bell County courts.
What to Look For
When selecting an attorney in Bell County:
Experience in Local Courts — Knowledge of local procedures and personnel
Specific Practice Area Expertise — Defense or personal injury focus
Communication — Responsive and clear about cases
Track Record — History of results in similar cases
Bell County Judges Directory
Directory of judges serving Bell County District Courts and County Courts at Law. This directory includes contact information, court details, and election information for all Bell County judges.
District Court Judges
District Court judges handle felony criminal cases and civil cases over $200,000. Judges serve 4-year terms and are elected in partisan elections.
27th Judicial District Court
Debbie Garrett, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 324Belton, Texas 76513
Election Information
Elected: 2024
Term Length: 4 years
Elected November 5, 2024
146th Judicial District Court
Mike Russell, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 324Belton, Texas 76513
Election Information
Elected: 2024
Term Length: 4 years
Elected November 5, 2024, took office January 2, 2025
169th Judicial District Court
Cari L. Starritt-Burnett, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 324Belton, Texas 76513
Election Information
Appointed: August 2021
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021
Term Length: 4 years
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in August 2021. First election in 2026
264th Judicial District Court
Paul L. LePak, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 324Belton, Texas 76513
Election Information
Elected: 2022
Term Length: 4 years
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2018. Re-elected in 2022, next election 2026
426th Judicial District Court
Steve Duskie, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 324Belton, Texas 76513
Election Information
Elected: 2024
Term Length: 4 years
Re-elected November 5, 2024. Serving since August 17, 2020
478th Judicial District Court
Wade Faulkner, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 324Belton, Texas 76513
Election Information
Appointed: August 18, 2022
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2022
Term Length: 4 years
Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott on August 18, 2022. First election in 2026
County Court at Law Judges
County Court at Law judges handle misdemeanor cases, probate matters, and smaller civil cases. Judges serve 4-year terms and are elected in partisan elections.
Court at Law 1
Paul A. Motz, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 781Belton, Texas 76513
Office Hours: 8:00 a
Election Information
Elected: 2022
Term Length: 4 years
Elected January 3, 2023. Next election 2026
Court at Law 2
John Mischtian, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 485Belton, Texas 76513
Office Hours: 8:00 a
Election Information
Elected: 2022
Term Length: 4 years
Re-elected November 8, 2022
Court at Law 3
Rebecca De, Judge
Contact Information
Location
1201 Huey RoadBelton, Texas 76513
Mailing: P.O. Box 365Belton, Texas 76513
Office Hours: 8:00 a
Election Information
Term Length: 4 years
Next election scheduled for November 2026