Small claims court may be a good option for many individuals because the court procedure is informal in nature and you do not need to hire an attorney to represent you. In Texas, claims of $10,000 or less can be heard in small claims court. However, you must file the small claims action in the county where the defendant lives, or the cause of action arose. Therefore, if the defendant lives in Harris County, or you bailed the defendant out of jail in the county, you may be able to file in Harris County. After you file the small claims complaint, you need to provide a copy of the filed document with the defendant. This provides the defendant with notice of the pending lawsuit and gives the defendant an opportunity to file an answer with the court either admitting or denying your allegations.  Contact an attorney in Texas to discuss your situation, and what you will likely need to show the court regarding evidence that your friend borrowed the money from you. For more information about filing a small claims case in Harris County, see http://www.ccl.co.harris.tx.us/jp/civil/filing.htm. In addition, read http://www.freelegalaid.com/nav/texas/other/article/filing-small-claim-harris-county for details regarding the fee to file a small claims case and what happens after you file the complaint.