The State Legislature, under its constitutional authority to "create such other courts as may be necessary," has created municipal courts in each of the incorporated cities of the State. By 2002, there were municipal courts operating in approximately 894 Texas cities and towns. The larger cities are served by multiple municipal courts, the number depending on the municipality's population and needs.

Purpose
Municipal courts have exclusive original jurisdiction in the enforcement of city ordinances. Municipal Court along with Justice of the Peace courts have concurrent jurisdiction over Penal Code class C violations.

Like their Justice of the Peace counterparts, Municipal Judges may issue search and arrest warrants. These courts have no jurisdiction in most civil cases, except in cases involving dangerous dogs – a classic example of the overly detailed nature and inconsistent structure of the Texas court system.

Warrants
The City of Canyon updates the Municipal Court Warrant List Thursday of each week.  The status of some warrants are listed with a name.  The status codes are: A - Active; CS - Community Service; PP - Payment Plan.  If your name is on this list and you have not contacted the Court Clerk, please call the Municipal Court Clerk at 806-655-5023.

Judge William Hughes has presided over Municipal Court since June 1988. Judge Hughes has served as staff with the Texas Municipal Court Education Center in curriculum development. He has also been an instructor for numerous TMCEC training seminars in Texas. Judge Hughes attends annual seminars to keep abreast of legislative updates.