(4) in Lynn County on the first Monday in February and the third Monday in September. It is the policy of the state that the administration of justice shall be prompt and efficient and that, for this purpose, the judicial districts of the state shall be reapportioned as provided by this subchapter so that the district courts of various judicial districts have judicial burdens that are as nearly equal as possible. Tex. 24.261. September 1, 2007. (b) The terms of the 71st District Court begin on the first Mondays in January, March, May, July, September, and November and continue until the Saturday before the next succeeding term begins or until the court has disposed of the business for that term. Sec. (a) The 370th Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo County. September 1, 2013. 37TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). 148TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (NUECES COUNTY). Sec. 4, eff. 2230), Sec. 24.631. Sec. 541 (S.B. (a) The 64th Judicial District is composed of Castro, Hale, and Swisher counties. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. Sept. 1, 2003. (d) Section 24.205, relating to the 103rd District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 138th District Court. The 250th Judicial District is composed of Travis County. A district judge must be at least 25 years old. 3(a), eff. 1, eff. September 1, 2015. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) The 89th Judicial District is composed of Wichita County. 505TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY). 24.913. Sec. LOCATION OF COURT. To the extent of a conflict between this subsection and a specific provision relating to a particular judicial district, this section controls. Any of the judges may hear and determine motions, petitions for injunction, applications for appointment of receivers, interventions, motions to transfer venue, pleas in abatement and all dilatory pleas, motions for new trials, and all preliminary matters, questions, and proceedings, and may enter judgment or order on them in the court in which the case or proceeding is pending without having the matter transferred to the court of the acting judge. (a) The 289th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County. (b) The terms of the 101st District Court begin on the first Mondays in March, June, September, and December. Sec. Sec. May 25, 1989. 323RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). (b) The 288th District Court shall give preference to civil cases. 1951), Sec. 24.133. 2, Sec. Sec. Sept. 1, 1985. (c) The terms of the 272nd District Court begin on the first Mondays in April and October. (a) The 247th Judicial District is composed of Harris County. 5(a), eff. (c) The terms of the 35th District Court begin: (1) in Brown County on the first Mondays in February, June, and November; and. (b) The terms of the 109th District Court begin: (1) in Andrews County on the second Monday in January and the first Monday in July; (2) in Crane County on the first Mondays in February and August; and. 606 (S.B. (d) Section 24.155, relating to the 53rd District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 147th District Court. Sec. If the clerk decides not to consolidate the minutes, the judge of each district court shall sign the minutes of each court term not later than the 30th day after the end of the term and shall also sign at the end of each volume of the minutes. 24.538. 83RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PECOS, TERRELL, AND VAL VERDE COUNTIES). (c) Section 24.138, relating to the 36th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 156th District Court. 72 (H.B. The judge of each affected district court shall sign the proper orders in connection with the transfer. The 308th Judicial District is composed of Harris County. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. (b) Unless provided otherwise by the local rules of administration, a district judge in the county may: (1) except as provided by Subsection (b-1), transfer any civil or criminal case or proceeding on the court's docket, other than a case governed by Chapter 155, Family Code, to the docket of another district court in the county; (2) hear and determine any case or proceeding pending in another district court in the county without having the case transferred; (3) sit for another district court in the county and hear and determine any case or proceeding pending in that court; (4) temporarily exchange benches with the judge of another district court in the county; (5) try different cases in the same court at the same time; and. The judge of the 424th District Court may alternate the drawing of grand juries with the judge of any other district court in each county within the 424th Judicial District and may order grand and petit juries to be drawn for any term of the court as the judge determines is necessary, by an order entered in the minutes of the court. (a) The 87th Judicial District is composed of Anderson, Freestone, Leon, and Limestone counties. SECOND 25TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLORADO, GONZALES, GUADALUPE, AND LAVACA COUNTIES). (a) The 383rd Judicial District is composed of El Paso County. Sec. 24.145. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 24.60094. (b) The 402nd District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county court in Wood County over all matters of civil and criminal jurisdiction, original and appellate, in cases over which the county court has jurisdiction under the constitution and laws of this state. The 317th Judicial District is composed of Jefferson County. (b) The terms of the 59th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January and July. 1189), Sec. 16, eff. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. September 1, 2009. 480, Sec. (b) The terms of the 327th District Court begin on the first Mondays in February, April, June, September, October, and December. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 3774), Sec. (b) A judge of the 411th Judicial District may not be assigned under Chapter 74 to serve as a visiting judge in Bexar, Dallas, Ector, Fort Bend, Harris, Jefferson, Lubbock, Midland, Tarrant, or Travis County. Sec. (a) The 363rd Judicial District is composed of Dallas County. 643), Sec. (a) The 162nd Judicial District is composed of Dallas County. (a-1) The 54th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county court and the statutory county courts of McLennan County in misdemeanor cases as well as the jurisdiction prescribed by general law for district courts. Notwithstanding any other law, if a disaster, as defined by Section 418.004, precludes a district court from holding its judicial district terms in accordance with Section 24.012, the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region, with the approval of the judge of the affected district court, may designate the terms and sessions of court. (2) in Shelby County on the first Mondays in March, July, and November. (d) The El Paso County Criminal District Court No. Sec. 24.194. Sec. 934 (H.B. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 24.418. Sept. 1, 1985. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 2.11(a), eff. 24.150. 541, Sec. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 2, eff. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. Sec. 24.101. (k) The designated domestic violence district court shall: (1) provide timely and efficient access to emergency protective orders and other court remedies for persons the court determines are victims of domestic violence; (2) integrate victims' services for persons the court determines are victims of domestic violence who have a case before the court; and. (a) The 6th Judicial District is composed of Lamar and Red River counties. Indictments within each county may be returned to either court within that county. DUTIES. 36TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ARANSAS, BEE, LIVE OAK, MCMULLEN, AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES). 24.219. (d) Section 24.179, relating to the 77th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 87th District Court in Freestone and Limestone counties. 4, eff. 593), Sec. 24.192. 445TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON COUNTY). Sec. (a) The reapportionment of the judicial districts of the state by the board is subject to the rules and conditions provided by Subsections (b)-(d). (a) The 233rd Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County. A case may not be transferred from one court to another without the consent of the judge of the court to which it is transferred, and a case may not be transferred unless it is within the jurisdiction of the court to which it is transferred. Sec. 1, eff. 24.409. (a) The 33rd Judicial District is composed of Blanco, Burnet, Llano, and San Saba counties. The 330th Judicial District is composed of Dallas County. (a) The 214th Judicial District is composed of Nueces County. Sept. 1, 2001. 541 (S.B. 115TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MARION AND UPSHUR COUNTIES). 355), Sec. 3, eff. The 220th Judicial District is composed of Bosque, Comanche, and Hamilton counties. 156TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ARANSAS, BEE, LIVE OAK, MCMULLEN, AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES). The 454th Judicial District is composed of Medina County. Erie Railroad v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938). The 355th Judicial District is composed of Hood County. (b) The terms of the 274th District Court begin on the second Tuesdays in February and August in Comal County, on the second Tuesdays in May and November in Guadalupe County, and on the second Tuesdays in June and December in Hays County. (b) This section applies to the 37th, 45th, 57th, 73rd, 131st, 144th, 150th, 166th, 175th, 186th, 187th, 224th, 225th, 226th, 227th, 285th, 288th, 289th, 290th, 379th, 386th, 399th, 407th, 408th, 436th, 437th, and 438th district courts in Bexar County. (e) The 58th, 60th, and 136th district courts may sit at the City of Port Arthur, in addition to Beaumont, to try, hear, and determine nonjury cases and to hear and determine motions, arguments, and the other nonjury matters that are within the jurisdiction of the courts. Sec. 327TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO COUNTY). Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. (f) There is one general docket for the 23rd and 329th district courts in Wharton County. 15, eff. 509, Sec. Although State District Courts have general jurisdiction, some courts handle dockets that specialize in either criminal, civil or family law. 954 (H.B. 24.602. 148, Sec. 267TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CALHOUN, DEWITT, GOLIAD, JACKSON, REFUGIO, AND VICTORIA COUNTIES). September 1, 2009. A redistricting plan may not be proposed or adopted by the legislature, the Judicial Districts Board, or the Legislative Redistricting Board in anticipation of a future action by the voters of any county. September 1, 2019. 480, Sec. (c) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 214th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts at law in Nueces County to receive a guilty plea in a misdemeanor case pending in a county court at law in Nueces County and dispose of the case, regardless of whether the case is transferred to the district court. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. Sec. TARRANT COUNTY CRIMINAL JUDICIAL DISTRICT NO. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. 24.545. 404TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON COUNTY). Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. The 442nd Judicial District is composed of Denton County. 32ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FISHER, MITCHELL, AND NOLAN COUNTIES). September 1, 2010. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. January 1, 2012. The North Carolina Supreme Court last month granted a request by Republican state legislators to revisit its ruling last year against a map . (a) The 384th Judicial District is composed of El Paso County. 855 (H.B. 17, eff. (d) Section 24.115, relating to the 14th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the Dallas County Criminal District Court No. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. 377TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (VICTORIA COUNTY). 24.599. 24.264. 606 (S.B. 24.379. 1189), Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. 6, eff. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 1124, Sec. 325TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). (b) The 161st District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the other district courts in Ector County. (b) The terms of the 340th District Court begin on the first Mondays in March and September. (a) The 108th Judicial District is composed of Potter County. Sec. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. 24.501. Sept. 1, 2001. Sec. (b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 347th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts at law in Nueces County to receive a guilty plea in a misdemeanor case pending in a county court at law in Nueces County and dispose of the case, regardless of whether the case is transferred to the district court. 14, eff. June 15, 2001. 412TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZORIA COUNTY). (b) Section 24.139, relating to the 37th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 57th District Court. It is always better to come to a solution that . 24.449. The 268th Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County. 24.582. 302ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DALLAS COUNTY). Sec. 24.904. Sec. (d) Section 24.123, relating to the 22nd District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 274th District Court. Sec. The clerk shall number the cases on the Clerk's Criminal File Docket consecutively with a separate series of numbers. Sec. (a-1) The term of the 47th District Court in Armstrong County begins on the first Monday in January. (a) The 139th Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo County. 24.008. The 269th Judicial District is composed of Harris County. (b) The 334th District Court shall give preference to civil matters. Sec. Sept. 1, 1985. 24.464. 24.165. 2.06(a), eff. (c) Section 24.115, relating to the 14th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 44th District Court. Sept. 1, 2001. The terms are designated the January-June and July-December terms. Sec. (a) The 372nd Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County. 24.358. (b) The 233rd District Court shall give preference to family law matters. 24.140. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 2(5), eff. Sec. 24.586. (c) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 148th District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts at law in Nueces County to receive a guilty plea in a misdemeanor case pending in a county court at law in Nueces County and dispose of the case, regardless of whether the case is transferred to the district court. September 1, 2005. 5(a), eff. 24.185. 1189), Sec. 349), Sec. (b) The terms of the 276th District Court begin: (1) in Marion County on the first Mondays in January, May, and July; (2) in Morris County on the first Mondays in February, March, and September; (3) in Titus County on the first Mondays in April, June, and November; and. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1337, Sec. 657 (H.B. Sec. 1, eff. 1337, Sec. 7(a), eff. 3.13(17), eff. 1337, Sec. 2, eff. 24.236. (b) In addition to the jurisdiction prescribed by the constitution and general laws of the state for district courts, the 259th District Court in Jones and Shackelford counties has all original and appellate civil and criminal jurisdiction normally exercised by county courts under the constitution and general laws of this state. 24.476. September 1, 2005. (a) The 381st Judicial District is composed of Starr County. Sec. 158TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON COUNTY). Sec. 480, Sec. (b) The 406th District Court shall give preference to cases involving family violence, cases under the Family Code, and cases under the Health and Safety Code. 497, Sec. 1342 (S.B. 10, eff. (a) The 455th Judicial District is composed of Travis County. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. The 266th Judicial District is composed of Erath County. 24.377. (c) The terms of the 15th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January and July. 481ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON COUNTY). 2913), Sec. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1189), Sec. Sec. 480, Sec. Sec. 848 (S.B. Sec. (b) The terms of the 16th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January and July of each year. (a) The 104th Judicial District is composed of Taylor County. Sec. 1182 (S.B. (b) A judge of the 392nd Judicial District may not be assigned under Chapter 74 to serve as a visiting judge in Bexar, Dallas, Ector, Fort Bend, Harris, Jefferson, Lubbock, Midland, Tarrant, or Travis County. (a) The 42nd Judicial District is composed of Callahan, Coleman, and Taylor counties. (b) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the terms of each district, family district, and criminal district court are continuous. (d) Section 24.139, relating to the 37th District Court, contains provisions applicable to all the district courts in Bexar County. June 19, 2009. 3, Sec. May 17, 2005. (b) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, each district court in Navarro County has the civil jurisdiction of a county court. (a) The 361st Judicial District is composed of Brazos County. 24.60092. 342, Sec. ____ of Tarrant County" engraved in the margin. September 1, 2007. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 24.149. (b) The terms of the Second 25th District Court begin: (1) in Colorado County on the first Mondays in April and November; (2) in Gonzales County on the first Mondays in May and December; (3) in Guadalupe County on the first Mondays in February and September; and. 24.614. (a) The 424th Judicial District is composed of Blanco, Burnet, Llano, and San Saba Counties. 3, eff. 24, Sec. (b) The 203rd District Court shall give preference to criminal cases. 139TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO COUNTY). (a) The 152nd Judicial District is composed of Harris County. 2, eff. 24.378. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. May 14, 2007. 24.558. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 24.273. Sec. Sec. (b) Section 24.112, relating to the 11th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 164th District Court. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 855 (H.B. In a county placed in a different or additional judicial district by reapportionment under this subchapter, the district clerk, sheriff, constables, county attorney, and district attorney or criminal district attorney of the county, and their assistants and successors in office, shall be the respective officers of all district courts of the county, including the courts of the different or additional judicial districts. (b) The terms of the 79th District Court begin: (1) in Brooks County at 10 a.m. on the first Mondays in February and September; and. 5. Sec. 855 (H.B. Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster . 329TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WHARTON COUNTY). (a) The 408th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County. 13, eff. (b) Each special judge is entitled to receive for each day served as a special judge the same daily salary that a district judge receives. All grand and petit juries drawn for one district court in each county are interchangeable with any other district court in that county as if the jury had been drawn for the court in which it is used. Sec. 6:22-cv-00162-JDK . The judgment, order, or action of the district court is valid and binding as if the case were pending in the district court. The basic structure of the present court system of Texas was established by an 1891 constitutional amendment. 371ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). (c) Section 24.118, relating to the 17th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 48th District Court. (a) The 92nd Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo County. 480, Sec. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 934 (H.B. Sec. Sec. 972-548-4415 (McKinney) 972-424-1460 ext. (a) If by an amendment to this chapter a county is removed from the composition of an existing judicial district and added to another existing or new judicial district, or if an amendment to this chapter changes the time or place at which the terms of court are held, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, and other obligations issued from and made returnable to that court before the effective date of the transfer or other change are returnable as provided by this subsection. 31ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GRAY, HEMPHILL, LIPSCOMB, ROBERTS, AND WHEELER COUNTIES). (f) The district clerk shall docket successively on the dockets of the courts that do not give preference to criminal cases all civil cases and proceedings so that the civil cases and proceedings are docketed in rotation and equally distributed among the courts. 2913), Sec. Sec. (b) The terms of the 112th District Court begin: (1) in Crockett County on the first Monday in April and the third Monday in September; (2) in Pecos County on the first Mondays in May and November; (3) in Reagan County on the first Mondays in March and October; (4) in Sutton County on the third Monday in March and the first Monday in September; and. Sec. Sec. 24.375. September 1, 2015. 231ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). (b) The terms of the 44th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January, April, June, and October. 187TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). 2. (d) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 297th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. (4) in Camp County on the first Mondays in October and December. While a . JURISDICTION. (a) The 125th Judicial District is composed of Harris County. 387TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY). (g) Section 24.105, relating to the 5th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 202nd District Court. (f) Repealed by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. (3) in Ward County on the third Monday in February, the first Monday in June, the third Monday in September, and the first Monday in December. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. 2, eff. 1189), Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. January 1, 2012. 123RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PANOLA AND SHELBY COUNTIES). Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 24.903. 1.05(a), eff. Sec. 480, Sec. Sec. 372ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 845 (S.B. (a) The 129th Judicial District is composed of Harris County. 497, Sec. 1103 (H.B. (b) The sheriff of each county or the sheriff's deputy shall attend the court as required by law or by the judge. 1.03(a), eff. 2, eff. (b) The terms of the 18th District Court in each county in the district begin on the first Mondays in January and July. Zepeda, 753 F.2d at 727 ("A federal court may issue an injunction if it has 20 personal jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter jurisdiction over the claim; it may not 21 attempt to determine the rights of persons not before the court."). 34, Sec. Sec. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. January 1, 2022. Sec. The 318th Judicial District is composed of Midland County. Sec. The 190th Judicial District is composed of Harris County. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 507, Sec. The amount to be paid for the services shall be paid in the same manner as the regular judge is paid on certification by the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region that the retired judge has rendered the services and is entitled to receive the salary. The 480th Judicial District is composed of Williamson County. 24.942. 9TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MONTGOMERY COUNTY). (c) The terms of the 356th District Court begin on the first Mondays in April and October. Sept. 1, 1995. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. Sec. (a) The 26th Judicial District is composed of Williamson County. 3, eff. (a) The 46th Judicial District is composed of Foard, Hardeman, and Wilbarger counties. 444TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON COUNTY). 92ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO COUNTY). 24.033. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. (b) The 17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, and 153rd district courts have concurrent jurisdiction in Tarrant County. (c) Section 24.490, relating to the 344th District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 253rd District Court in Chambers County. 1342 (S.B. Each judge sitting in the court shall sign the minutes of the proceedings that were held before him. Sec. 24.213. 148, Sec. (c) Section 24.155, relating to the 53rd District Court, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 126th District Court. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) The 19th Judicial District is composed of McLennan County. September 1, 2015. This subsection does not limit the powers of the judges when acting for any other judge by exchange of benches or otherwise. The judges of the 23rd and 329th district courts in Wharton County may hear and dispose of any matter on the courts' general docket, both civil and criminal, without transferring the matter. (3) promote an informed and consistent court response to domestic violence cases to lessen the number of misdemeanors, felonies, and fatalities related to domestic violence in Harris County. 148, Sec. (c) The terms of the 289th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January and July. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. Sec. (a) The 410th Judicial District is composed of Montgomery County. (b) The judge of the 218th District Court may impanel grand juries in each county in the district but is not required to impanel a grand jury in any county except when the judge considers it necessary. 2.04(a), eff. 24.120. (a) The 13th Judicial District is composed of Navarro County. 891), Sec. (e) The clerk of the district court of Bowie County serves as the clerk of the 202nd District Court. 296TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY). 399TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). 24.167. (7) the actual growth or decline of population and district court case load in the counties to be affected. Sec. EL PASO COUNTY CRIMINAL JUDICIAL DISTRICT NO. The criminal district court shall give secondary preference to other criminal cases and associated civil cases emanating from those criminal cases. 1342 (S.B. (b) The terms of the 20th District Court begin on the third Mondays in January, May, and September. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 4, eff. 1(d), eff. Sec. As mentioned above, the special judicial power of U S federal district courts to take jurisdiction overforeign environmental daims stems from constitutional and statutory provisions- The Congress has given the federal district courts "federal questionn jurisdiction and "diversity" jurisdiction, Authority for the former is found in section 1331 of 28 U - S C A , which provides: "The District .