Texas Legislature
What does Biennially mean and how does this relate to the Texas government?
- Texas government only meets once every two years.
Sine Die - Means that legislature has to adjourn.
The Texas governor shares his role with many other people. What is this system called?
Plural Executive
What is the Penal code?
Defines what the laws are, their punishments, and/or fines associated with them.
What are the two highest courts in Texas that make up our bifurcated system?
What is a standing committee?
A permanent committee within the House OR Senate to draft and revise legislation within a certain area. These are important, and they highly influence a bill from passing or not.
Which legislative chamber has the power to bring a charge of impeachment?
House of Representatives, the Senate is what tries/convicts
Is our governor generally considered weak or strong, and why?
Generally, weak.
- Limited budgetary powers, plural executive, limited removal power.
However, there are other things the governor can do to exert his influence: controlling the media, promoting policy (informal powers).
What are the three Rs in the justice system?
Recidivism, reform, rehabilitation.
What percent of our Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is Republican?
100%
What is a conference committee?
A joint (between House and Senate), temporary committee that meets when House and Senate view differently/resolve two different versions of the same bill.
What does it mean when a district in Texas is noncompetitive?
It's pretty likely that one party is going to win, usually the incumbent. Elections here usually aren't close.
Why does the governor have a plural executive system?
Reflective of the fear of overpowered leaders - Santa Anna, EJ Davis, etc.
What kind of legal conflicts involve private matters and disputes between private parties? In other words, people vs people.
Civil.
Criminal - people vs state, or people vs law.
What is an appellate court?
They DON'T decide guilt/innocence. They review processes from the lower courts. Appellate courts are always higher than the courts they review.
Who is Texas's crisis manager?
The governor.
What is the highest appointable office in the state of Texas?
Secretary of the State
Question: Who was the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Texas?
Ann Richards
What is meant by the burden of proof in a court case?
Criminal - beyond a reasonable doubt - lots of evidence required.
Civil - "preponderance of evidence" - claim is more likely true than not.
If you were charged with an intermediate crime, such as multiple DWIs, or violating parole, which court would you go to?
County level courts. See graph in textbook.
What are military powers, and is this a formal or informal power?
A formal power given to the governor, letting him call the National Guard during natural disaster or civil unrest.
What is a major criticism regarding how well the Texas Legislature represents the state?
Which governor was the only one to be removed from office via impeachment?
Jim "Pa" Ferguson, replaced by his wife "Ma" Ferguson, who later ended up getting better approval ratings, managing Texas during Great Depression.
What is the difference between grand jury and petit jury?
Grand - Does NOT decide guilt/innocence. Only decides if there's enough material to formally charge someone with a crime (probable cause).
Petit - Decides guilt/innocence in a case.
What is the purpose of municipal/JP courts?
Handle local issues, smallest level of courts. May see basic traffic tickets, petty theft under $100, small-scale law suits and other small crimes. Do NOT serve as appellate courts.
What is Kate's Law?
Increases federal penalties for multiple instances of illegal re-entry into the United States?