Questions and Answers
What is the most sharply limited trial jurisdiction in Texas?
Texas Municipal Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over class C offenses.
False
How are municipal judges selected?
Most are appointed by the city council.
What additional official capacity do municipal judges and justices of the peace serve?
Signup and view all the answers
Where would a speeding ticket case inside city limits likely be tried?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a de novo appeal?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a peace bond?
Signup and view all the answers
What was historically the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace courts?
Signup and view all the answers
A justice of the peace court may grant equitable relief.
Signup and view all the answers
Where would a speeding ticket case outside city limits likely be tried?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the jurisdiction of Texas Municipal Courts?
Signup and view all the answers
What forms of official process can a municipal judge issue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the jurisdiction of a county criminal court in Texas?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a specialized county court?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the requirements to be a constitutional county court judge?
Signup and view all the answers
What matters are expressly not in the jurisdiction of Texas County Courts?
Signup and view all the answers
What types of appeals are taken from non-record Municipal Courts to the County Courts?
Signup and view all the answers
County Courts may grant equitable relief.
Signup and view all the answers
How are constitutional county judges selected?
Signup and view all the answers
Constitutional county judges serve for what term?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the jurisdiction of Texas District Courts?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the jurisdiction of Family District Courts?
Signup and view all the answers
Which court hears the vast majority of criminal appeals in Texas?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the highest court in Texas for criminal cases?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the constitutional jurisdiction for the Texas Supreme Court?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the supplemental jurisdiction of the Texas Supreme Court?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of trials does Texas have in criminal cases?
Signup and view all the answers
In a civil jury trial in a district court, what agreement of the jurors is necessary to return a verdict?
Signup and view all the answers
Texas District Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over what matters?
Signup and view all the answers
Texas District Courts have appellate jurisdiction over what matters?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an associate judge?
Signup and view all the answers
How are associate judges selected?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the requirements to be a Texas Statutory County Court judge?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the requirements to be a Texas District Court judge?
Signup and view all the answers
Over what matters do Texas Courts of Appeals have final jurisdiction?
Signup and view all the answers
How many Court of Appeals Districts are there in Texas?
Signup and view all the answers
Fort Worth is in which Texas Court of Appeals District?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the general jurisdiction of the Texas Supreme Court?
Signup and view all the answers
Who writes the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure?
Signup and view all the answers
When may a direct appeal be taken from Texas District Court to the Texas Supreme Court?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term of service for justices in Texas Courts?
Signup and view all the answers
What court hears death penalties?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the requirements for Texas Supreme Court justices?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a habeas corpus?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Texas Court System Overview
- Municipal Court: Most limited trial jurisdiction in Texas.
- Class C Offenses: Texas Municipal Courts possess concurrent jurisdiction over these offenses.
Judges and Court Operations
- Municipal Judges: Typically appointed by city council, no specific qualifications required.
- Magistrate Role: Municipal judges and justices of the peace have duties as magistrates and serve as Presiding Officer of the Coroner.
Court Jurisdiction
- Speeding Tickets in City Limits: Likely tried in Municipal Court.
- De Novo Appeal: An appeal where the appellate court reviews the case anew, using the trial court's record without deferring to its rulings.
- Peace Bond: Court-enforced agreements preventing harm between parties.
Justice of the Peace Courts
- Historical Jurisdiction: Originally local trial courts with limited jurisdiction.
- Equitable Relief: Justice of the Peace Courts cannot grant such relief.
- Speeding Tickets Outside City Limits: Handled by Justice of the Peace Court.
County Courts
- Jurisdiction: Constitutional county courts handle Class A and B misdemeanors.
- Specialized County Courts: Focus on specific legal areas like probate instead of general jurisdiction.
- Election of Judges: Constitutional County judges are elected; requirements include being well-informed in state laws.
Appeals and Equitable Relief
- Appeals from Municipal Courts: Generally, de novo appeals to County Courts.
- County Courts: Have the authority to grant equitable relief.
Texas District Courts
- Jurisdiction: Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions exceeding $200, divorce, title disputes, contested elections, and felony matters.
- Appellate Jurisdiction: Over probate cases from county courts; can review county commissioners' court actions.
Judicial Structures
- Associate Judges: Serve under district judges, primarily in family law; selected by local judges with court commissioner consent.
- Statutory County Court Judges: Elected county-wide, requirements include age and residence stipulations.
Appeals Court Details
- Texas Court of Appeals: Most criminal appeals are processed here, with 14 districts statewide.
- Jurisdiction: Regional jurisdiction, focusing on civil cases, juvenile matters, and constitutional issues.
Texas Supreme Court
- Role: Reviews cases with questions of law from civil cases; resolves conflicts among lower courts.
- Supplemental Jurisdiction: Involves cases including state revenue issues and errors from the Court of Appeals.
- Requirements for Justices: Must be U.S. citizens and Texas residents, aged 35 to 74, with at least 10 years of legal experience.
Unique Aspects
- Death Sentence Appeals: Direct appeals from District Courts to the Texas Supreme Court are permitted in these cases.
- Court of Criminal Appeals: The highest authority for criminal case appeals, including death penalty cases.
Miscellaneous
- Term Lengths: Justices on the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and Courts of Appeals serve six-year terms.
- Habeas Corpus: A legal writ for bringing an arrested individual before a court to secure lawful release if grounds for detention are not shown.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the Texas judicial system with these flashcards focused on municipal courts. Learn about their jurisdiction, judges, and related laws. Perfect for students or anyone interested in Texas court procedures.