Since the beginning of statehood in 1845, Texas municipal courts have served an important role in both local government and the state judiciary. The evolution of these courts can best be described as the gradual accumulation of answers to long-standing questions. In the first 50 years of their existence, municipal courts were plagued by an indefinite legislative mandate and a lack of uniform procedures. In the last 50 years, uniform procedures have been created by the Legislature, many legal issues have been clarified, and, perhaps most notably, municipal courts have begun to gain a collective sense of identity and purpose that were notably absent during their formative years. There still, however, remain many unanswered questions about municipal courts in Texas. Often an answer that would seem satisfactory in other Texas trial courts falls short because of the subtle nuances in Texas statutory law. As the subject matter of municipal courts continues to evolve, and as the case load of these courts increase, so do the number of people who have questions about the operations of such courts. What was missing prior to this publication was a book that critically analyzed the nature of municipal courts and the judge’s role in the Texas criminal justice system. This publication fills such a gap by providing a primer to judges assuming a municipal bench, as well as a refresher for seasoned judges. The book is also written for the broad array of people interested in Texas municipal courts (e.g., city officials, attorneys, other judges, legislators, educators, students, and the public at large). Just as municipal courts occupy a unique niche in the Texas judicial system, this book is intended to fill a unique niche in terms of the public’s understanding of the courts with which most Texans come into contact.