In one sentenceRule 504.1 entitles any party to a jury trial in justice court on a written demand filed at least 14 days before trial and payment of a $22.00 jury fee, and lets the judge try the case without a jury if no one timely demands one.
(a)Demand. Any party is entitled to a trial by jury. A written demand for a jury must be filed no later than 14 days before the date a case is set for trial. If the demand is not timely, the right to a jury is waived unless the late filing is excused by the judge for good cause.
(b)Jury Fee. Unless otherwise provided by law, a party demanding a jury must pay a fee of $22.00 or must file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs at or before the time the party files a written request for a jury.
(c)Withdrawal of Demand. If a party who demands a jury and pays the fee withdraws the demand, the case will remain on the jury docket unless all other parties present agree to try the case without a jury. A party that withdraws its jury demand is not entitled to a refund of the jury fee.
(d)No Demand. If no party timely demands a jury and pays the fee, the judge will try the case without a jury.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 504.1 covers getting a jury in justice court. Any party is entitled to a jury trial, but must file a written demand no later than 14 days before the trial date and pay a $22.00 jury fee — or file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. If a party withdraws a demand, the case stays on the jury docket unless all parties agree otherwise. If no party timely demands a jury and pays the fee, the judge tries the case without one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get a jury trial in Texas justice court?
File a written demand at least 14 days before trial and pay the $22.00 jury fee, or a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs (Rule 504.1).
What happens if you miss the 14-day deadline to demand a jury?
The right to a jury is waived unless the judge excuses the late filing for good cause (Rule 504.1(a)).
Can you get your jury fee back if you change your mind?
No. Rule 504.1(c) says a party who withdraws a jury demand is not entitled to a refund, and the case stays on the jury docket unless all other parties agree to try it without one.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 504.1), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:jury trial demandedjury fee justice courtdemand a juryTRCP 504.1