United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Federal district court in Houston, United States
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas is a federal court operating from seven courthouse locations and serving 43 counties across southeastern Texas. The main courthouse sits in Houston, with additional facilities located in Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
The court was established in 1902 and began operations in Galveston with one judge, Waller T. Burns. Over time it expanded to include multiple courthouse locations across the region to meet growing legal needs.
The court hears many cases involving international trade and border matters that reflect this region's connection with Mexico through multiple crossing points. These legal issues shape the daily focus of the courthouse and influence how people experience federal law in a border community.
The main courthouse in Houston is located at 515 Rusk Avenue and handles federal cases with proceedings generally open to the public. Security procedures apply at all locations, and visitors should expect standard courthouse entry protocols and restrictions on certain areas.
The court maintains 19 district judgeships and records some of the highest rates of federal felony filings among courts nationwide. This makes it one of the busiest federal courts for serious criminal cases in the country.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
