Texas Case Law

The Texas state court system is divided into three levels. The highest courts in Texas are the Texas Supreme Court, which reviews civil cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which reviews criminal cases. Each court consists of nine judges. The Supreme Court reviews appeals of decisions by the Texas Courts of Appeals in civil cases, and it resolves questions regarding Texas law that are submitted from federal appellate courts. The Court of Criminal Appeals reviews appeals of decisions by the Courts of Appeals in criminal cases, and sometimes it reviews appeals of decisions by trial courts.  Decisions by the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals are final unless the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to review an appeal of a decision.

The middle level of the Texas state court system consists of the Texas Courts of Appeals. These 14 courts review appeals of decisions by trial courts in both civil and criminal cases. Most decisions by the Courts of Appeals are final unless the Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal Appeals agrees to review an appeal of a decision.

The lowest level of the Texas state court system consists primarily of the Texas District Courts, the Texas County Courts, the Texas Municipal Courts, and the Texas Justice of the Peace Courts. The District Courts are trial courts with general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The County Courts have a similar scope of jurisdiction. Decisions by both the District Courts and the County Courts may be appealed to the Courts of Appeals. The Municipal Courts typically hold jurisdiction over certain misdemeanor cases, violations of local ordinances, and violations of airport rules. The Justice of the Peace Courts review cases involving misdemeanors that are punished only by fines, as well as civil matters with no more than $10,000 at issue.

Texas also has certain other trial courts that handle distinctive types of cases. The Texas Probate Courts review cases involving probate, guardianships, and mental health issues. The Texas Constitutional County Courts review cases involving serious misdemeanors, and they usually review appeals of decisions by Municipal Courts and Justice of the Peace Courts.

The Texas Special Court of Review is a panel of three Court of Appeals judges who are selected by lot by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. They review sanctions issued by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

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