The United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern District of Texas include areas surrounding Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo. In a region this large with a population of over 10 million people, we are committed to serving this diverse community with a focus on integrity, diversity, and inclusivity. District courts resolve disputes by determining the facts and applying legal principles. Trial courts include district judges, who handle most trials, and magistrate judges who assist district judges in preparing cases for trial and also conduct trials in misdemeanor cases. Bankruptcy courts oversee a process where 1) a debtor repays creditors in a fair and orderly manner to the extent that the debtor has property available for payment; or 2) a failing business reorganizes by restructuring debt or the business itself, or the business is liquidated in an orderly manner. Our staff perform job functions related to judicial operations, facilities, finance, IT, human resources, court reporting, and more.