Texas

The judiciary system in Texas is an intricate network of courts that function to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice. Understanding the structure, roles, and responsibilities of each court and the individuals involved is essential for anyone seeking to navigate the legal landscape in Texas.
Texas Court Structure
Supreme Court of Texas
The Supreme Court of Texas is the highest court for civil matters in the state. It has one chief justice and eight associate justices who hear cases involving constitutional matters, contested elections, and other civil cases.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
This court is the highest appellate court for criminal cases in Texas. It consists of one presiding judge and eight judges, and it has the final say on matters of criminal law in the state.
Texas Courts of Appeals
Texas has 14 Courts of Appeals, which hear both civil and criminal cases appealed from the lower courts. Each court has a varying number of justices, ranging from three to 13, depending on the population of the region they serve.
Texas District Courts
These are the primary trial courts for the state and have general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. Texas has 508 district courts, each with a single judge who presides over cases in a specific geographic area.
Texas County Courts
County courts in Texas handle more limited types of civil and criminal matters, such as misdemeanors and probate cases. The structure and jurisdiction of these courts can vary from county to county.
Texas Justice Courts
Also known as justice of the peace courts, these courts have jurisdiction over minor civil matters, traffic violations, and small claims cases. There is at least one justice court in each of Texas’s 254 counties.
Texas Municipal Courts
Municipal courts are established by individual cities and handle violations of city ordinances, traffic offenses, and some misdemeanors.
The Role of Judges Appointment and Election of Judges
The selection of judges in Texas combines both appointment and election processes. For the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Courts of Appeals, the governor appoints vacancies, but these judges must stand for election at the next general election. Judges for district courts, county courts, and justice courts are elected in partisan elections.
Judicial Qualifications
Each court has specific qualifications for those who serve as judges. For example, a Texas Supreme Court justice must be at least 35 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Texas, and must have been a practicing lawyer or judge for at least 10 years.
Judicial Tenure and Removal
Judges in Texas hold office for four to six years, depending on the court. Judges can be removed from office through impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate.
The Jury System in Texas
Grand Juries
Grand juries in Texas are composed of 12 citizens who determine whether there is enough evidence to indict a person for a felony. They serve a crucial role in the criminal justice system.
Trial Juries
Trial juries, also known as petit juries, are used in both civil and criminal cases. They are responsible for deciding the facts of a case and rendering a verdict.
The Role of Lawyers in Texas Courts
Becoming a Lawyer in Texas
Becoming a lawyer in Texas involves several steps, including earning a law degree, passing the Texas Bar Exam, and meeting other character and fitness requirements.
Roles and Responsibilities
Lawyers, or attorneys, represent individuals, businesses, and government entities in legal proceedings. They advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, represent them in court, and prepare legal documents.
Texas Court Processes and Procedures
Civil Procedure
Civil procedure in Texas courts governs the process for civil lawsuits. This includes rules for filing a case, serving notice to defendants, discovery, trial, and appeal.
Criminal Procedure
Criminal procedure outlines the process for criminal prosecutions. It includes rules for arrest, indictment, arraignment, pre-trial motions, trial, and sentencing.
Family Law Procedure
Family law procedure covers cases related to divorce, child custody, child support, and other family-related matters.
Probate Procedure
Probate procedure governs the process of settling a deceased person’s estate, including validating wills, appointing executors, and distributing assets.
Technology and Texas Courts
Electronic Filing
Electronic filing, or e-filing, has become increasingly common in Texas courts. This allows for more efficient and convenient submission of court documents.
Online Dispute Resolution
Some Texas courts have started using online dispute resolution (ODR) for certain types of cases. ODR can provide a faster, more accessible option for resolving disputes.
Conclusion
The courts and judiciary system in Texas are complex but designed to ensure fair and just outcomes for all involved. From the Supreme Court to the municipal courts, each plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the Texas judiciary system, adapting to provide justice in the most efficient and accessible ways possible.
FAQs
- What is the highest court in Texas for civil cases? The Supreme Court of Texas is the highest court for civil cases in the state.
- How are judges chosen in Texas? Judges in Texas are chosen through a combination of appointments by the governor and general elections.
- What is the role of a grand jury in Texas? A grand jury in Texas determines whether there is enough evidence to indict a person for a felony.
- What steps are involved in becoming a lawyer in Texas? To become a lawyer in Texas, one must earn a law degree, pass the Texas Bar Exam, and meet other character and fitness requirements.
- What is electronic filing in Texas courts? Electronic filing, or e-filing, is a method that allows for the submission of court documents in a more efficient and convenient way through online systems.
Counties is Texas
Anderson | Andrews | Angelina | Aransas | Archer | Armstrong | Atascosa | Austin | Bailey | Bandera | Bastrop | Baylor | Bee | Bell | Bexar | Blanco | Borden | Bosque | Bowie | Brazoria | Brazos | Brewster | Briscoe | Brooks | Brown | Burleson | Burnet | Caldwell | Calhoun | Callahan | Cameron | Camp | Carson | Cass | Castro | Chambers | Cherokee | Childress | Clay | Cochran | Coke | Coleman | Collin | Collingsworth | Colorado | Comal | Comanche | Concho | Cooke | Coryell | Cottle | Crane | Crockett | Crosby | Culberson | Dallam | Dallas | Dawson | Deaf Smith | Delta | Denton | DeWitt | Dickens | Dimmit | Donley | Duval | Eastland | Ector | Edwards | El Paso | Ellis | Erath | Falls | Fannin | Fayette | Fisher | Floyd | Foard | Fort Bend | Franklin | Freestone | Frio | Gaines | Galveston | Garza | Gillespie | Glasscock | Goliad | Gonzales | Gray | Grayson | Gregg | Grimes | Guadalupe | Hale | Hall | Hamilton | Hansford | Hardeman | Hardin | Harris | Harrison | Hartley | Haskell | Hays | Hemphill | Henderson | Hidalgo | Hill | Hockley | Hood | Hopkins | Houston | Howard | Hudspeth | Hunt | Hutchinson | Irion | Jack | Jackson | Jasper | Jeff Davis | Jefferson | Jim Hogg | Jim Wells | Johnson | Jones | Karnes | Kaufman | Kendall | Kenedy | Kent | Kerr | Kimble | King | Kinney | Kleberg | Knox | Lamar | Lamar | Lampasas | La Salle | Lavaca | Lee | Leon | Liberty | Limestone | Lipscomb | Live Oak | Llano | Loving | Lubbock | Lynn | McCulloch | McLennan | McMullen | Madison | Marion | Martin | Mason | Matagorda | Maverick | Medina | Menard | Midland | Milam | Mills | Mitchell | Montague | Montgomery | Moore | Morris | Motley | Nacogdoches | Navarro | Newton | Nolan | Nueces | Ochiltree | Oldham | Orange | Palo Pinto | Panola | Parker | Parmer | Pecos | Polk | Potter | Presidio | Rains | Randall | Reagan | Real | Red River | Reeves | Refugio | Roberts | Robertson | Rockwall | Runnels | Rusk | Sabine | San Augustine | San Jacinto | San Patricio | San Saba | Schleicher | Scurry | Shackelford | Shelby | Sherman | Smith | Somervell | Starr | Stephens | Sterling | Stonewall | Sutton | Swisher | Tarrant | Taylor | Terrell | Terry | Throckmorton | Titus | Tom Green | Travis | Trinity | Tyler | Upshur | Upton | Uvalde | Val Verde | Van Zandt | Victoria | Walker | Waller | Ward | Washington | Webb | Wharton | Wheeler | Wichita | Wilbarger | Willacy | Williamson | Wilson | Winkler | Wise | Wood | Yoakum | Young | Zapata | Zavala
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals | U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas | U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court | Texas Court of Appeals | Texas Court of Criminal Appeals | Texas District Courts | Texas County Courts | Texas County Courts at Law | Texas Statutory Probate Courts | Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas | Texas judicial elections | Judicial selection in Texas
Counties in Texas
in
Circuit court
Here are all of the Counties located in the Texas Estate.
Anderson
Andrews
Angelina
Aransas
Archer
Armstrong
Atascosa
Austin
Bailey
Bandera
Bastrop
Baylor
Bee
Bell
Bexar
Blanco
Borden
Bosque
Bowie
Brazoria
Brazos
Brewster
Briscoe
Brooks
Brown
Burleson
Burnet
Caldwell
Calhoun
Callahan
Cameron
Camp
Carson
Cass
Castro
Chambers
Cherokee
Childress
Clay
Cochran
Coke
Coleman
Collin
Collingsworth
Colorado
Comal
Comanche
Concho
Cooke
Coryell
Cottle
Crane
Crockett
Crosby
Culberson
Dallam
Dallas
Dawson
Deaf Smith
Delta
Denton
DeWitt
Dickens
Dimmit
Donley
Duval
Eastland
Ector
Edwards
El Paso
Ellis
Erath
Falls
Fannin
Fayette
Fisher
Floyd
Foard
Fort Bend
Franklin
Freestone
Frio
Gaines
Galveston
Garza
Gillespie
Glasscock
Goliad
Gonzales
Gray
Grayson
Gregg
Grimes
Guadalupe
Hale
Hall
Hamilton
Hansford
Hardeman
Hardin
Harris
Harrison
Hartley
Haskell
Hays
Hemphill
Henderson
Hidalgo
Hill
Hockley
Hood
Hopkins
Houston
Howard
Hudspeth
Hunt
Hutchinson
Irion
Jack
Jackson
Jasper
Jeff Davis
Jefferson
Jim Hogg
Jim Wells
Johnson
Jones
Karnes
Kaufman
Kendall
Kenedy
Kent
Kerr
Kimble
King
Kinney
Kleberg
Knox
La Salle
Lamar
Lamb
Lampasas
Lavaca
Lee
Leon
Liberty
Limestone
Lipscomb
Live Oak
Llano
Loving
Lubbock
Lynn
Madison
Marion
Martin
Mason
Matagorda
Maverick
McCulloch
McLennan
McMullen
Medina
Menard
Midland
Milam
Mills
Mitchell
Montague
Montgomery
Moore
Morris
Motley
Nacogdoches
Navarro
Newton
Nolan
Nueces
Ochiltree
Oldham
Orange
Palo Pinto
Panola
Parker
Parmer
Pecos
Polk
Potter
Presidio
Rains
Randall
Reagan
Real
Red River
Reeves
Refugio
Roberts
Robertson
Rockwall
Runnels
Rusk
Sabine
San Augustine
San Jacinto
San Patricio
San Saba
Schleicher
Scurry
Shackelford
Shelby
Sherman
Smith
Somervell
Starr
Stephens
Sterling
Stonewall
Sutton
Swisher
Tarrant
Taylor
Terrell
Terry
Throckmorton
Titus
Tom Green
Travis
Trinity
Tyler
Upshur
Upton
Uvalde
Val Verde
Van Zandt
Victoria
Walker
Waller
Ward
Washington
Webb
Wharton
Wheeler
Wichita
Wilbarger
Willacy
Williamson
Wilson
Winkler
Wise
Wood
Yoakum
Young
Zapata
Zavala
See Other Courts in US
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming