Killeen, Texas
Killeen, Texas is in the heart of Texas in Bell County. Killeen is adjacent to U.S. 190, approximately 50 miles southwest of Waco and about 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin. Killeen's population (113,194 according to the 2009U.S. Census) swells to over 200,000 when the surrounding cities of Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, and the neighboring military installation Fort Hood are included, and the entire area is referred to as Greater Killeen.
Killeen was founded in 1882 by the Santa Fe Railroad and served as a shipping station for cotton and cattle. Killeen prospered, serving the large surrounding rural area along with its own citizens. Agriculture remained the primary economic driver in Killeen until the establishment of Fort Hood. Today, Fort Hood, which covers 339 square miles north and west of Killeen, is the only Army post in the United States supporting two full combat divisions. Killeen's economy heavily depends on the post and the military personnel and their families stationed there.
Killeen boasts excellent medical facilities. In addition to a major hospital, the Metroplex Health System, there are two clinics, full-service mental health facilities, and many specialty physicians offering a wide range of care. The Metroplex Health System, operated as a community service by the Adventist Health System, employs 950 area residents. The nearby Darnall Army Community Hospital at Fort Hood provides medical care to active-duty and retired military personnel and their family members.
The Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport is adjacent to Fort Hood. The airport offers Killeen residents convenient non-stop flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport - Houston. Major highways serving Killeen are U.S. Highway 190 (also known as the Central Texas Expressway), Business Loop 190 (Veterans Memorial Boulevard), and State Highway 195.
Attractions in Killeen include the Mayborn Planetarium & Space Theater, located at Central Texas College, the Killeen Mall, Rodeo Killeen, the Stonetree Golf Club, and the Vive Les Arts Theatre.
District courts are the primary trial courts in Texas, being state trial court of general jurisdiction. The Texas Constitution also provides for a county court in each of Texas's 254 counties. Each county in Texas is divided according to population into at least one and not more than eight justice precincts.
The Bell County District Courts Center in Belton, the county seat, houses the 27th District Court, 146th District Court, 169th District Court, 264th District Court, and 426th District Court.
Justice courts generally have exclusive jurisdiction of civil matters, including personal injury lawsuits, only when the amount in controversy does not exceed $200. Generally, the county courts have concurrent jurisdiction with justice courts in civil cases where the matter in controversy exceeds $200 but does not exceed $10,000 and concurrent jurisdiction with the district courts in civil cases where the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $5,000. The district courts have jurisdiction in civil matters with a minimum monetary limit but no maximum limit. The fourteen Texas Courts of Appeals handles most of Texas ‘civil appeals from the district and county-level courts, while the Texas Supreme Court has statewide, final appellate jurisdiction in most civil cases.
The Guide to Texas Legislative Information provides brief definitions of terms associated with the legislative process to help you understand the terms you may hear in court.
