Texas County government is generally an extension of state government, focusing on the judicial system, health and welfare service delivery, law enforcement, and road construction. In contrast to other parts of the country, Texas counties seldom have responsibility for schools, water and sewer systems, electric utilities, and commercial airports. County governments in Texas have no ordinance-making powers other than those explicitly and narrowly granted by state law.

Hopkins County shares organizational features with the state’s other 253 counties: its governing body (the Commissioner’s Court) consists of one member elected at large (the county judge) and four members (County Commissioners) elected from districts. In Hopkins County, the County Judge is an executive and administrator in addition to his duties as presiding officer of the Commissioners Court. The County Judge is also the Judge of the County Truancy Courts, supervising two Magistrates who preside over these Hopkins County Courts.

The Commissioners Court sets the County tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government. Each commissioner also supervises a Road and Bridge District.