Rule 504.3.Jury Not Charged
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 504.3 provides that in justice court the judge must not charge the jury — there are no formal jury instructions of the kind given in district and county courts.
Full Text of Rule 504.3
The judge must not charge the jury.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 504.3 is a one-line simplification. The judge must not charge the jury. Unlike a district or county court trial, a justice-court jury receives no formal written charge of questions and instructions; the case goes to the jury without one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the judge instruct the jury in Texas justice court?
No. Rule 504.3 says the judge must not charge the jury.
Does a Texas justice court jury receive written questions like a district court jury?
No. Rule 504.3 bars the judge from charging the jury with formal instructions or questions, so the case goes to the jury without one.
Does skipping the jury charge change how the jury decides the case?
No. The jury still hears the evidence and reaches its verdict; Rule 504.3 only removes the formal charge that would guide it in county or district court.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 504.3), 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 not chargedno jury charge justice courtjury instructions justice courtverdict without a chargeTRCP 504.3