It shares jurisdiction with the county courts, and in some case justice of the peace courts, for civil cases (its lowest limit for hearing a case is a mere $200 in controversy, while JP courts can hear cases up to $5,000). In a "catchall" provision it hears all cases "in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court".

Some smaller counties share a district court; the larger counties have multiple district courts, which in some cases specialize in civil, criminal, family law or juvenile matters.

Unlike the lower levels, district court judges are required to be licensed attorneys. Due to this, defendants in counties which only have the traditional constitutional county court, may elect to have their cases transferred to a district court to be heard by a judge with a law degree. This right is not afforded to criminal defendants in counties where there is a county court at law.

Moreover, district judges may remove county officials, officials of a general-law municipality, and municipal court judges under certain circumstances.

District Judges also exercise administrative power. They appoint and supervise the county auditor and oversee the operations of the adult and juvenile probation offices. Finally, the Texas Constitution grants them "supervisory" jurisdiction over the county commissioners court.