Civil Process includes but are not limited to these services:
- Attorney General Warrants - often referred to as a child support warrant, this warrant is issued by the AGs office. It gives law enforcement the authority to arrest. In child support cases, there are two kinds of warrants, criminal and civil. A judge issues a civil warrant when a custodial parent files a complaint against the noncustodial parent for contempt of court (disobeying the court's order to pay support).
- Citation - a summons to a person to appear before a court at the specific place and time to answer a particular charge.
- Mental Illness Warrant - may be issued in Dallas County when a person is mentally ill AND is a danger to him or herself, incapable of taking care of him or herself, or a danger to others.
- Truancy - the action of staying away from school without good reason; absenteeism. Consult school district for further information.
- Writ of Attachment - a court order to "attach" or seize an asset. It is issued by a court to a law enforcement officer, likely a constable or sheriff. The writ of attachment is issued in order to satisfy a judgment issued by the court.
- Writ of Execution - a court order to a constable or sheriff to enforce a judgement by levying on real or personal property of a judgement debtor to obtain funds to cover the debt. This device orders the constable to take the debtor's "non-exempt" personal property and sell it to pay your judgment. In Texas, much of what the average person owns is "exempt.” Exempt property includes most personal property.
- Writ of Possession - an order granted by the court which allows a person not currently in possession of a property to take possession of the property. It is commonly issued after a landlord/property owner wins an eviction law suit against a tenant. Once a writ of possession is obtained, a constable or sheriff will allow the landlord to remove you, anyone in the rental unit, and all property from the premises. If it is raining, sleeting, or snowing, you cannot be removed (that day).
