# Plain answers about the El Paso courts

> Written by the firm that appears in them. General information about Texas procedure, not advice about your matter.

16 articles in English, grouped by practice area. Every one of them is published in Spanish as well, indexed at [Artículos](/es/insights).

## Criminal law

Know what you are charged with, what it carries, and what happens next, before you walk into a courtroom guessing.

- [How long police can hold you before you see a magistrate in Texas](/insights/how-long-before-magistrate-texas): Texas requires a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest. What that hearing decides and what a late one means. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Expunction or nondisclosure in Texas, and which one applies to you](/insights/expunction-or-nondisclosure-texas): An expunction destroys a Texas arrest record. A nondisclosure seals it from most public view. How your case ended decides which one you can ask for. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Your license after a driving while intoxicated arrest in Texas](/insights/dwi-license-deadline-texas): A driving while intoxicated arrest starts a separate case against your license. The hearing request is generally due by the fifteenth day after notice. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [What to do if you have an arrest warrant in El Paso](/insights/what-to-do-arrest-warrant-el-paso): Confirm the court and the cause number before you do anything else. A municipal, county and felony warrant each move differently in El Paso. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

The practice: [Criminal Defense Lawyer](/practice/criminal)

## Family law

Get through a divorce or a custody fight without losing time with your children to a filing mistake.

- [Emergency custody orders in Texas and when they actually apply](/insights/emergency-custody-orders-texas): Texas moves fast on custody only on a sworn showing of immediate danger, and only until a hearing. What qualifies, what does not, and what judges expect. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [How child custody is decided in a Texas divorce](/insights/how-child-custody-is-decided-texas): Texas starts from joint managing conservatorship and decides on the child's best interest. Joint does not mean equal time, and one parent sets the home. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [How long a divorce takes in El Paso](/insights/how-long-divorce-takes-el-paso): A Texas court generally cannot grant a divorce before the sixtieth day after filing. The rest of the timeline is set by how much you two disagree. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

The practice: [Family Law Attorney](/practice/family)

## Personal injury

Find out what your claim is actually worth before an adjuster puts a number in front of you.

- [What to do in the first week after a crash in El Paso](/insights/first-week-after-a-crash-el-paso): The first week after a crash decides what proof still exists later. Medical care, the crash report, witnesses, and what not to tell an adjuster. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [What comparative fault means for your Texas injury claim](/insights/comparative-fault-texas-injury-claim): Texas cuts your recovery by your share of the fault and bars it once that share passes half. Here is how the percentages get decided and argued. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [How long you have to file an injury claim in Texas](/insights/how-long-to-file-injury-claim-texas): Texas generally gives you two years to sue for a personal injury. A claim against a city or state agency comes due far sooner. How to find your own date. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

The practice: [Personal Injury Lawyer](/practice/injury)

## Traffic law

Keep a ticket off your record and a warrant off your name without taking a day off work.

- [How to keep a traffic ticket off your Texas driving record](/insights/keep-a-ticket-off-your-texas-record): Paying a Texas ticket is a guilty plea that goes on your record. Deferred disposition, a driving safety course or a compliance dismissal can prevent it. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [What happens if you miss your court date on a ticket in El Paso](/insights/missed-court-date-ticket-el-paso): A missed setting can become a warrant, a separate failure to appear charge, and a hold on your license renewal. What to do first, and which court has it. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

The practice: [Traffic Ticket Lawyer](/practice/traffic)

## Civil law

Understand what a contract, a lease or an estate actually obligates you to do before you sign or sue.

- [Suing in justice court in El Paso County](/insights/small-claims-justice-court-el-paso): Texas justice courts hear eligible civil cases up to the 20,000 dollar limit, plus evictions. How to file in El Paso County, serve, and collect. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [How long you have to sue for breach of contract in Texas](/insights/breach-of-contract-deadline-texas): Texas generally gives you four years from the breach to sue on a contract. A demand letter does not stop the clock. Filing suit does. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

The practice: [Civil Litigation Attorney](/practice/civil)

## Juvenile law

Keep a mistake at sixteen from following your child into adulthood.

- [Can a juvenile record be sealed in Texas](/insights/sealing-a-juvenile-record-texas): Many Texas juvenile records can be sealed, some automatically and some only on application. What sealing covers, what it misses, and which are excluded. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [What happens when a child is arrested in Texas](/insights/child-arrested-texas-what-happens): Texas juvenile cases run in their own system. An intake officer decides release, a detention hearing comes fast, and a parent cannot waive those rights. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

The practice: [Juvenile Defense Lawyer](/practice/juvenile)

## En español

- [¿Se puede sellar un récord juvenil en Texas?](/insights/sellar-el-record-juvenil-en-texas): Muchos récords juveniles de Texas se pueden sellar, unos solos y otros solo con una solicitud. Qué cubre el sello, qué no alcanza y cuáles quedan fuera. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Qué hacer la primera semana después de un choque en El Paso](/insights/primera-semana-despues-de-un-choque-el-paso): La primera semana decide qué pruebas quedan después. Atención médica, el reporte del choque, testigos y qué no decirle al ajustador del seguro. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Órdenes de custodia de emergencia en Texas y cuándo aplican](/insights/custodia-de-emergencia-en-texas): Texas actúa rápido en custodia solo con una declaración jurada de peligro inmediato, y solo hasta la audiencia. Qué califica y qué no ante el juez. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cuánto tiempo pueden detenerlo antes de ver al juez en Texas](/insights/cuanto-pueden-detenerme-antes-del-juez-texas): Texas exige llevarlo ante un magistrado sin demora innecesaria y no más de 48 horas después del arresto. Qué decide esa audiencia y qué pasa si se tarda. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cómo demandar en la justice court en El Paso County](/insights/demanda-en-justice-court-el-paso): Las justice courts de Texas ven casos civiles elegibles hasta el límite de 20,000 dólares, más desalojos. Cómo presentar, notificar y cobrar en El Paso. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cómo evitar que una multa de tránsito quede en su récord de manejo](/insights/evitar-que-una-multa-quede-en-su-record): Pagar una multa en Texas es declararse culpable y queda en su récord. El deferred disposition, un curso de manejo o una desestimación pueden evitarlo. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Qué significa la culpa compartida para su reclamo en Texas](/insights/culpa-compartida-en-texas): Texas reduce lo que usted recupera según su parte de la culpa, y se lo quita cuando esa parte pasa de la mitad. Así se deciden y se pelean los porcentajes. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Borrar o sellar antecedentes en Texas, y cuál le toca a usted](/insights/borrar-o-sellar-antecedentes-texas): Una expunction destruye el expediente del arresto en Texas. Una orden de no divulgación lo sella del público. Cómo terminó su caso decide cuál puede pedir. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Qué pasa cuando arrestan a un menor en Texas](/insights/arrestaron-a-mi-hijo-en-texas): Los casos juveniles de Texas van en su propio sistema. Un oficial de admisión decide la liberación y la audiencia de detención llega rápido. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cómo se decide la custodia en un divorcio en Texas](/insights/como-se-decide-la-custodia-en-texas): Texas parte de la custodia conjunta y decide por el interés superior del niño. Conjunta no significa tiempo igual, y un solo padre fija el domicilio. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cuánto tiempo tiene para demandar por incumplimiento de contrato en Texas](/insights/plazo-incumplimiento-de-contrato-texas): Texas generalmente da cuatro años desde el incumplimiento para demandar por un contrato. Una carta de cobro no detiene el reloj. Presentar la demanda sí. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Su licencia después de un arresto por DWI en Texas](/insights/licencia-despues-de-un-dwi-texas): Un arresto por DWI abre un caso aparte contra su licencia. La solicitud de audiencia generalmente vence el día quince después de la notificación. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Falté a mi cita en la corte en El Paso: qué sigue](/insights/falte-a-mi-cita-en-la-corte-el-paso): Una cita perdida se puede volver orden de arresto, un cargo aparte por no comparecer, y un bloqueo en la renovación de su licencia. Qué hacer primero. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cuánto tarda un divorcio en El Paso](/insights/cuanto-tarda-un-divorcio-en-el-paso): Por regla general una corte de Texas no otorga el divorcio antes del día sesenta. El resto del tiempo lo decide qué tanto desacuerdo hay entre ustedes dos. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Cuánto tiempo tiene para demandar por lesiones en Texas](/insights/plazo-para-demanda-por-lesiones-texas): Texas generalmente da dos años para demandar por lesiones personales. Un reclamo contra una ciudad o el estado vence mucho antes. Cómo saber su fecha. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)
- [Qué hacer si tiene una orden de arresto en El Paso](/insights/orden-de-arresto-en-el-paso): Averigüe qué corte emitió la orden y cuál es el número de causa antes de actuar. Una orden municipal, del condado o de delito grave se maneja distinto. (statutes checked 2026-09-14)

## Talk to a partner

The case review is free, the call comes from a partner, and you get a straight answer either way. Even if the answer is that you do not need us.

Call [(915) 485-9100](tel:+19154859100) or use the chat at the bottom right of any page. Hablamos español.

Wyatt, Underwood & Grasheim
705 Texas Ave #100
El Paso, TX 79901
[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=705+Texas+Ave+%23100%2C+El+Paso%2C+TX+79901)

General information about Texas procedure, not legal advice about your matter. Reading this page does not make the firm your lawyer. See the [Terms of Use](/terms).