Government Code §27.031

(a) In addition to the jurisdiction and powers provided by the constitution and other law, the justice court has original jurisdiction of: (1) civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is not in the district or county court and in which the amount in controversy is not more than $10,000, exclusive of interest; (2) cases of forcible entry and detainer; (3) foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens on personal property in cases in which the amount in controversy is otherwise within the justice court's jurisdiction; and (4) cases arising under Chapter 707 , Transportation Code, outside a municipality's territorial limits. (b) A justice court does not have jurisdiction of: (1) a suit in behalf of the state to recover a penalty, forfeiture, or escheat; (2) a suit for divorce; (3) a suit to recover damages for slander or defamation of character; (4) a suit for trial of title to land; or (5) a suit for the enforcement of a lien on land. (c) A justice court has concurrent jurisdiction with a municipal court in cases that arise in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction and that arise under an ordinance of the municipality applicable to the extraterritorial jurisdiction under Section 216.902 , Local Government Code. (d) A corporation need not be represented by an attorney in justice court. (e) A justice court has concurrent jurisdiction with a district court and a municipal court of record over expunction proceedings relating to the arrest of a person for an offense punishable by fine only.