Civil vs Criminal
A disagreement between two people or organizations over money or property is usually this type of case.
What is a civil case?
This person is in charge of the courtroom and makes sure the trial follows the law.
Who is the judge?
In Texas, voters usually choose judges through this process.
What is an election?
This is what a person asks for when they want a higher court to review a lower court’s decision.
A driver gets a ticket for violating a city traffic ordinance. Which court would most likely hear the case?
What is Municipal Court?
Texas legal proceedings are divided into these two main types.
This group listens to the evidence and decides whether the facts prove the case.
Who are the jurors?
Texas judicial candidates usually appear on the ballot with a party label. This makes Texas judicial elections this type of election.
What is a partisan election?
If a court does not have the legal authority to hear a certain case, it does not have this.
What is jurisdiction
A tenant is being evicted by a landlord. Which court would most likely hear the case?
What is Justice Court?
This Texas court is the final authority on civil law matters.
In a criminal case, this attorney represents the government and tries to prove the defendant committed the crime.
Who is the prosecutor?
If a Texas judge leaves office before the end of the term, this state official may appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
Who is the governor?
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has final appellate jurisdiction over what type of cases?
What is Criminal Cases?
A case has already been decided by a lower court, and one side asks a higher court to review the decision. Which court would usually hear it next?
How many justices serve on the Texas Supreme Court?
What is nine?
Texas has this many Courts of Appeals across the state.
What is 15?
Judges on the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals are elected to terms lasting this many years.
What is six years?
The power of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.
What is appellate jurisdiction?
A Texas case has already been reviewed by a Court of Appeals. Which court may review the case next if it involves an important issue of Texas law?
What is Texas Supreme Court?
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is made up of one presiding judge and this many additional judges.
What is eight?
Texas district court juries usually have 12 jurors, but county, justice, municipal, and probate court juries usually have how many?
When the governor appoints a judge to fill a vacancy, this part of the Texas Legislature must confirm the appointment.
Which court level in Texas has original jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and major civil cases?
What is District Courts?
A defendant receives the death penalty in a Texas trial court. Which court receives the appeal directly?