Collin County judges say district courts lead Texas in case-disposition speed

Judge Tom Novak told the Collin County Commissioner's Court that the county's district courts dispose cases faster than nearly every other county in Texas, citing Office of Court Administration statistics presented at the court's meeting.

"We have done more with less," Judge Tom Novak said, noting the county's disposition metrics and saying the top-right chart displayed the county's rapid case-disposition rate. He said the courts had disposed 31,750 cases (the presenter clarified this number is disposals rather than filings) and highlighted juvenile adjudications of about 1,000 cases last year.

The presentation attributed the performance to judges and court partners, including the district clerk, district attorney's office and probation department. Novak also noted population growth: the county's July 2024 population estimate used in the materials was expected to exceed about 1,250,000 residents, which contributes to rising case volumes.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions. The presiding officer asked whether the 31,750 figure represented cases filed or disposed; Novak clarified it referred to disposed cases. Another commissioner praised the average time to disposition — about "five months and six days" — as evidence of the courts' efficiency.

Novak also said civil filings have increased, estimating roughly a 30% year-to-year rise in certain civil filings despite statutory changes that altered caps but not the underlying filing behavior. He said the courts remain constrained by statutory limits but are processing cases quickly.

The presentation cited the Office of Court Administration in Austin as the source of the statewide comparative metrics. Commissioners thanked the judges for the report; the court then moved to other business.

The court adjourned the commissioners' session and convened a Healthcare Foundation meeting afterward.