Library Guides: GOVT 2306: Texas Government: Texas Judicial System

Texas Judicial System

Supreme Court of Texas
The Chief Justice and eight justices make up the Supreme Court in Texas. Located by the State Capital, it serves as the "last resort" for rulings on civil matters. Use this site for contact information and the Justice calendar. Find out about current news and cases, rules and procedures. See oral arguments videos, causes, and orders and opinions.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
The Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas' highest court for criminal cases. The Court consists of a Presiding Judge and eight Judges. View Justice contact Information, procedures, rules, issues argument, virtual court, orders, opinions and statements, and case submissions. You may also locate forms.
Texas Court of Appeals
The 14 courts of appeals reside in specific areas of Texas and have jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases appealed from district or county courts. Visit the web sites of all 14 courts of appeals by hovering over "courts" in the subject links.
Texas Trial Courts
This link guides you to information about Texas District, County, Justice, Municipal, and Specialty courts. It includes multi-district litigation cases, rules of judicial administration, and information about serving on a jury or receiving child support.

SUPREME COURT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

CIVIL/JUVENILE CRIMINAL

COURT OF APPEALS

CIVIL/CRIMINAL

Trial court appeals:

district, county, justice, municipal

DISTRICT COURT

Original jurisdiction

Divorce, land titles, contested elections,

felony: criminal, civil, juvenile

COUNTY COURT

Limited local jurisdiction

Lower court appeals:

constitutional, statutory county courts,

civil, probate, juvenile, misdemeanors

MUNICIPAL COURT

Limited local jurisdiction

Local trials:

civil, small claims,

criminal misdemeanors,

magistrate, probate, municipal ordinances

SPECIALTY COURT

A Separate Court
Child protection and support, juveniles

Judicial Directory
Current information on courts and judges in counties.
Justices of Texas (1836-1986)
Includes People who served on the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from 1836 to 1986: biographies, portraits, citations to opinions, and links to additional information.
Penal Code Offenses by Punishment Range
A list created by the Attorney General.
Texas Progressive Interventions and Bench Manual
A manual for basic community services and sanctions that can be imposed instead of incarceration. Used by County Court judges to try cases, it is also helpful for prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants and victims, and community corrections officials.
Annual Statistics Report
Link to Annual Statistical Reports for basic court information, information on judges, demographics, salaries and turnover. Find statistics from appellate and trial courts, case activity and trends.