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2005 Texas Government Code CHAPTER 22. APPELLATE COURTS
GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 22. APPELLATE COURTS SUBCHAPTER A. SUPREME COURT § 22.001. JURISDICTION. (a) The supreme court has appellate jurisdiction, except in criminal law matters, coextensive with the limits of the state and extending to all questions of law arising in the following cases when they have been brought to the courts of appeals from appealable judgment of the trial courts: (1) a case in which the justices of a court of appeals disagree on a question of law material to the decision; (2) a case in which one of the courts of appeals holds differently from a prior decision of another court of appeals or of the supreme court on a question of law material to a decision of the case; (3) a case involving the construction or validity of a statute necessary to a determination of the case; (4) a case involving state revenue; (5) a case in which the railroad commission is a party; and (6) any other case in which it appears that an error of law has been committed by the court of appeals, and that error is of such importance to the jurisprudence of the state that, in the opinion of the supreme court, it requires correction, but excluding those cases in which the jurisdiction of the court of appeals is made final by statute. (b) A case over which the court has jurisdiction under Subsection (a) may be carried to the supreme court either by writ of error or by certificate from the court of appeals, but the court of appeals may certify a question of law arising in any of those cases at any time it chooses, either before or after the decision of the case in that court. (c) An appeal may be taken directly to the supreme court from an order of a trial court granting or denying an interlocutory or permanent injunction on the ground of the constitutionality of a statute of this state. It is the duty of the supreme court to prescribe the necessary rules of procedure to be followed in perfecting the appeal. (d) The supreme court has the power, on affidavit or otherwise, as the court may determine, to ascertain the matters of fact that are necessary to the proper exercise of its jurisdiction. (e) For purposes of Subsection (a)(2), one court holds differently from another when there is inconsistency in their respective decisions that should be clarified to remove unnecessary uncertainty in the law and unfairness to litigants. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1106, § 1, eff. June 20, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, § 1.04, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 22.002. WRIT POWER. (a) The supreme court or a justice of the supreme court may issue writs of procedendo and certiorari and all writs of quo warranto and mandamus agreeable to the principles of law regulating those writs, against a statutory county court judge, a statutory probate court judge, a district judge, a court of appeals or a justice of a court of appeals, or any officer of state government except the governor, the court of criminal appeals, or a judge of the court of criminal appeals. (b) The supreme court or, in vacation, a justice of the supreme court may issue a writ of mandamus to compel a statutory county court judge, a statutory probate court judge, or a district judge to proceed to trial and judgment in a case agreeable to the principles and usages of law, returnable to the supreme court on or before the first day of the term, or during the session of the term, or before any justice of the supreme court as the nature of the case requires. (c) Only the supreme court has the authority to issue a writ of mandamus or injunction, or any other mandatory or compulsory writ or process, against any of the officers of the executive departments of the government of this state to order or compel the performance of a judicial, ministerial, or discretionary act or duty that, by state law, the officer or officers are authorized to perform. (d) Repealed by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.03. (e) The supreme court or a justice of the supreme court, either in termtime or vacation, may issue a writ of habeas corpus when a person is restrained in his liberty by virtue of an order, process, or commitment issued by a court or judge on account of the violation of an order, judgment, or decree previously made, rendered, or entered by the court or judge in a civil case. Pending the hearing of an application for a writ of habeas corpus, the supreme court or a justice of the supreme court may admit to bail a person to whom the writ of habeas corpus may be so granted. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.03, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 355, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. § 22.003. PROCEDURE OF THE COURT. (a) The supreme court from time to time shall promulgate suitable rules, forms, and regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter relating to the jurisdiction and practice of the supreme court. (b) The supreme court may make and enforce all necessary rules of practice and procedure, not inconsistent with the law, for the government of the supreme court and all other courts of the state to expedite the dispatch of business in those courts. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.004. RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE. (a) The supreme court has the full rulemaking power in the practice and procedure in civil actions, except that its rules may not abridge, enlarge, or modify the substantive rights of a litigant. (b) The supreme court from time to time may promulgate a specific rule or rules of civil procedure, or an amendment or amendments to a specific rule or rules, to be effective at the time the supreme court deems expedient in the interest of a proper administration of justice. The rules and amendments to rules remain in effect unless and until disapproved by the legislature. The clerk of the supreme court shall file with the secretary of state the rules or amendments to rules promulgated by the supreme court under this subsection and shall mail a copy of those rules or amendments to rules to each registered member of the State Bar of Texas not later than the 60th day before the date on which they become effective. The secretary of state shall report the rules or amendments to rules to the next regular session of the legislature by mailing a copy of the rules or amendments to rules to each elected member of the legislature on or before December 1 immediately preceding the session. (c) So that the supreme court has full rulemaking power in civil actions, a rule adopted by the supreme court repeals all conflicting laws and parts of laws governing practice and procedure in civil actions, but substantive law is not repealed. At the time the supreme court files a rule, the court shall file with the secretary of state a list of each article or section of general law or each part of an article or section of general law that is repealed or modified in any way. The list has the same weight and effect as a decision of the court. (d) The rules of practice and procedure in civil actions shall be published in the official reports of the supreme court. The supreme court may adopt the method it deems expedient for the printing and distribution of the rules. (e) This section does not affect the repeal of statutes repealed by Chapter 25, page 201, General Laws, Acts of the 46th Legislature, Regular Session, 1939, on September 1, 1941. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 297, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 644, § 1, eff. June 13, 2001. § 22.005. DISQUALIFICATION OF JUSTICES. (a) The chief justice may certify to the governor when one or more justices of the supreme court have recused themselves under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure or are disqualified under the constitution and laws of this state to hear and determine a case in the court. (b) The governor immediately shall commission the requisite number of persons who are active appellate or district court justices or judges and who possess the qualifications prescribed for justices of the supreme court to try and determine the case. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 428, § 1, eff. June 9, 1995. § 22.006. ADJOURNMENT. (a) The supreme court may adjourn from day to day or for the periods that it deems necessary to the ends of justice and the determination of the business before the court. (b) A suit, process, or matter returned to or pending in the supreme court may not be discontinued because a quorum of the court is not present at the commencement or on any other day of the term. If a quorum of the court is not present on any day of the term, a justice of the court or the bailiff attending the court may adjourn the court from time to time. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.007. APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF ERROR. (a) The supreme court may act on applications for writs of error when the court deems it expedient. The supreme court shall pass on an application for writ of error in a case in which the justices of the courts of appeals have disagreed or have declared void a statute of the state. (b) By a written designation recorded in the minutes of the supreme court, the chief justice or any two justices of the supreme court may designate three justices of the courts of appeals to act on applications for writs of error as provided by this section. The designation of justices of the courts of appeals may be changed as often as is advisable by relieving one or more of the justices and designating another or others in order to interfere as little as possible with the work of the courts of appeals. Only one justice may be designated to serve at any one time from any one of the courts of appeals. The power to designate justices of the courts of appeals to act on applications for writs of error may be exercised from time to time as long as necessary. (c) Designated justices of the courts of appeals, on receiving notice of their designation, shall assemble in Austin and act on the applications for writs of error that are referred to them, by granting, refusing, or dismissing the applications in accordance with the practice of the supreme court. The designated justices may then make orders and give directions incidental to the consideration and disposition of each application. (d) A designated justice of a court of appeals shall not act on an application for writ of error in a case decided during the justice's incumbency by the court of which he is a member. (e) The granting of an application for writ of error admits the case into the supreme court, and the supreme court shall proceed with the case as provided by law. The refusal or dismissal of an application has the effect of denying the admission of the case into the supreme court, except that a motion for rehearing may be made to the designated justices in the same manner that a motion for rehearing to the supreme court is made. The refusal or dismissal of an application shall not be regarded as a precedent or authority. (f) The powers conferred on the justices of the supreme court and the courts of appeals by this section are incidental to their respective offices. (g) A designated justice of a court of appeals is entitled to the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of his additional duties. The comptroller shall issue warrants to pay the expenses out of the state treasury on itemized accounts of the expenses that are verified by the affidavit of the claimant. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.008. PUBLICATION OF DECISIONS. (a) The supreme court shall appoint one or more licensed attorneys to serve at the will of the court and to report the decisions of the supreme court. (b) The supreme court shall designate the cases to be reported and the reporter may report and publish only the designated cases. As soon as the cases are finally disposed of and the opinions are recorded, the reporter shall obtain from the proper clerk the records of the cases to be reported, with the briefs and opinions. (c) Under the direction of the supreme court, the reporter shall promptly prepare the decisions for publication with appropriate syllabuses and statements, proper index, and table of cited cases and reported cases. Each report shall incorporate only the main propositions made in the briefs and considered by the court in the opinion, with the authorities cited in support of the propositions. (d) The reporter shall return the record, with briefs and opinions, to the clerk when the report is completed and from time to time shall deliver the reports to the State Purchasing and General Services Commission for publication. Each volume shall be copyrighted in the name of the reporter, who immediately on delivery of the edition shall transfer and assign it to the state. The edition shall be electrotyped. The state owns the plates, and the State Purchasing and General Services Commission shall preserve them. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.009. STENOGRAPHERS; BAILIFF. The supreme court may appoint not more than three stenographers and may appoint a bailiff to attend the court when it is sitting. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.010. SEALING OF COURT RECORDS. The supreme court shall adopt rules establishing guidelines for the courts of this state to use in determining whether in the interest of justice the records in a civil case, including settlements, should be sealed. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 426, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. § 22.011. JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND CHILD ABUSE. (a) The supreme court shall provide judicial training related to the problems of family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and to issues concerning sex offender characteristics. (b), (c) Repealed by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 507, § 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1995. (d) The instruction must include information about: (1) statutory and case law relating to videotaping a child's testimony and relating to competency of children to testify; (2) methods for eliminating the trauma to the child caused by the court process; (3) case law, statutory law, and procedural rules relating to family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse; (4) methods for providing protection for victims of family violence, sexual assault, or child abuse; (5) available community and state resources for counseling and other aid to victims and to offenders; (6) gender bias in the judicial process; (7) dynamics and effects of being a victim of family violence, sexual assault, or child abuse; and (8) issues concerning sex offender characteristics. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 795, § 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 282, § 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 254, § 1, eff. May 29, 1995. § 22.012. TRAINING RELATED TO DIVERSIONS. (a) Each attorney representing the state in the prosecution of felonies and each district court judge shall, as an official duty, each year complete a course of instruction related to the diversion of offenders from confinement in the institutional division. (b) The supreme court shall adopt rules to provide for the training required by Subsection (a). In adopting the rules, the court shall consult with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to obtain the department's recommendations for instruction content. (c) The instruction must include information relating to: (1) case law, statutory law, and procedural rules relating to felony diversions; and (2) available community and state resources for diversions. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 10, § 11.09(a), eff. Aug. 29, 1991. § 22.013. JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO GUARDIANSHIP ISSUES. (a) The supreme court shall provide a course of instruction that relates to issues that arise in guardianship cases for judges involved in those cases. (b) The supreme court shall adopt the rules necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. (c) The instruction must include information about: (1) statutory and case law relating to guardianships; (2) the aging process and the nature of disabilities; (3) the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.) and related case and statutory law, rules, and compliance methods; (4) the principles of equal access and accommodation; (5) the use of community resources for the disabled; and (6) avoidance of stereotypes through a focus on people's individual abilities, support needs, and inherent individual value. (d) The instruction may include information about: (1) substantive areas of law concerning the needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities; (2) barriers to physical access and methods to overcome those barriers; (3) communication needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities and the technology available to provide access to communication; (4) duties and responsibilities of guardians, guardians ad litem, attorneys, and court personnel in guardianship proceedings; (5) standard definitions and procedures for determining incapacity; (6) standards for surrogate decision making; (7) the doctrine of the least-restrictive alternative; (8) the dispute resolution process, especially its application to elderly persons and persons with disabilities; and (9) successful programs and funding efforts for addressing the court-related needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 905, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. § 22.014. SENIOR JUSTICE ACTING FOR CHIEF JUSTICE. In the chief justice's absence, the justice with the most seniority on the supreme court may sign a court document for the chief justice if the chief justice has given that justice written authorization. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 356, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1995. § 22.015. PERMANENT PLACE DESIGNATIONS. (a) The supreme court is composed of a chief justice and of eight justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (b) The designation of offices and places under this section identifies the offices and places for all purposes, including identification on official ballots for primary and general elections. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 693, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.SUBCHAPTER B. COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS § 22.101. SEAL. (a) The court of criminal appeals shall use a seal on which there is engraved a star with five points and the words "Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas." (b) The writs and processes issued from the court of criminal appeals shall bear the name of the presiding judge and the seal of the court. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.102. MANDATE. When the court from which an appeal is taken is deprived of jurisdiction over the case pending the appeal and the case is determined by a court of appeals or the court of criminal appeals, the mandate of the appellate court that determined the case shall be directed to the court that had jurisdiction over the case, as also provided by Section 22.226. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.103. ASCERTAINMENT OF FACTS. The court of criminal appeals may ascertain, on affidavit or otherwise, the matters of fact that are necessary to the exercise of its jurisdiction. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.105. DISQUALIFICATION. (a) The fact that a judge of the court of criminal appeals is disqualified under the constitution and laws of this state to hear and determine a case shall be certified to the governor. (b) The governor immediately shall commission a person who is learned in the law to act in the place of the disqualified judge. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.106. COMMISSIONERS OF COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS. (a) The presiding judge of the court of criminal appeals, with the concurrence of a majority of the judges of the court of criminal appeals, may designate and appoint a retired appellate judge or district judge who has consented to be subject to appointment, or an active appellate judge or district judge, to sit as a commissioner of the court of criminal appeals. A designated judge must consent to the designation and appointment. The presiding judge may designate and appoint as many commissioners as he deems necessary to aid the court in disposing of its business. (b) A commissioner shall discharge the duties that are assigned him by the court and may be appointed to serve either for a certain period of time or for a particular case or cases. (c) The opinions of a commissioner shall be submitted to the court of criminal appeals for approval. When approved by a majority of the court, an opinion of a commissioner has the same weight and legal effect as an opinion originally prepared by the court of criminal appeals. (d) The compensation of a judge while sitting as a commissioner of the court of criminal appeals shall be paid out of money appropriated from the general revenue fund for that purpose in an amount equal to the salary of the judges of the court of criminal appeals and shall be in lieu of the retirement allowance that the judge receives or in lieu of the compensation he receives as an active judge of another court. In addition to the compensation, a judge sitting as a commissioner of the court is entitled to receive his actual travel expenses to and from Austin and a $25 per diem while he is assigned to the court of criminal appeals in Austin. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.107. COMMISSION IN AID OF COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS. (a) In addition to the authority granted by Section 22.106 of this code, the court of criminal appeals may appoint a commission for the aid of the court in disposing of the business before the court. The commission in aid of the court shall discharge the duties that are assigned it by the court of criminal appeals. (b) The commission shall be composed of two attorneys having the qualifications fixed by the constitution and laws of this state for a judge of the court of criminal appeals. Commissioners serve two-year terms that expire September 1 of each odd-numbered year. (c) The opinions of the commissioners in aid of the court shall be submitted to the court of criminal appeals for approval. When approved by a majority of the court and handed down as an opinion of the court, an opinion of a commissioner in aid of the court has the same weight and legal effect as an opinion originally prepared and handed down by the court of criminal appeals. (d) Each member of the commission is entitled to receive for his services the salary that is provided by law. (e) The court of criminal appeals by appointment may fill a vacancy on the commission in aid of the court that is created by the death, resignation, or removal of a member of the commission. A person appointed to fill a vacancy continues in office for the unexpired portion of the term for which the commissioner vacating the office was appointed. (f) The court of criminal appeals shall appoint two stenographers for the commission. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.108. RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE IN CRIMINAL CASES. (a) The court of criminal appeals is granted rulemaking power to promulgate rules of posttrial, appellate, and review procedure in criminal cases except that its rules may not abridge, enlarge, or modify the substantive rights of a litigant. (b) The court of criminal appeals may promulgate a comprehensive body of rules of posttrial, appellate, and review procedure in criminal cases and from time to time may promulgate a specific rule or rules of posttrial, appellate, or review procedure in criminal cases or an amendment or amendments to a specific rule or rules. Rules and amendments adopted under this subsection are effective at the time the court of criminal appeals considers expedient in the interest of a proper administration of justice. The rules and amendments to rules remain in effect unless and until disapproved, modified, or changed by the legislature. The clerk of the court of criminal appeals shall file with the secretary of state the rules or amendments to rules promulgated by the court of criminal appeals under this subsection. (c) The rules of posttrial, appellate, and review procedure in criminal cases shall be published in the Texas Register and in the Texas Bar Journal. The court of criminal appeals may adopt the method it considers expedient for the printing and distribution of the rules. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.04(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 297, § 2, eff. Aug. 28, 1989. § 22.109. RULES OF EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES. (a) The court of criminal appeals has the full rulemaking power in the promulgation of rules of evidence in the trials of criminal cases, except that its rules may not abridge, enlarge, or modify the substantive rights of a litigant. (b) The court of criminal appeals may promulgate a comprehensive body of rules of evidence in the trials of criminal cases and from time to time may promulgate a specific rule or rules of evidence or an amendment or amendments to a specific rule or rules. Rules and amendments adopted under this subsection are effective at the time the court of criminal appeals considers expedient in the interest of a proper administration of justice. The rules and amendments to rules remain in effect unless and until disapproved by the legislature. The secretary of state shall report the rules or amendments to rules to the next regular session of the legislature by mailing a copy of the rules or amendments to rules to each elected member of the legislature on or before December 1 immediately preceding the session. (c) The rules of evidence in the trials of criminal cases shall be published in the Texas Register and in the Texas Bar Journal. The court of criminal appeals may adopt the method it considers expedient for the printing and distribution of the rules. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.04(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987. § 22.110. JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO FAMILY VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND CHILD ABUSE. (a) The court of criminal appeals shall assure that judicial training related to the problems of family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse is provided. (b) The court of criminal appeals shall adopt the rules necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. The rules must require each district judge, judge of a statutory county court, associate judge appointed under Chapter 54 of this code or Chapter 201, Family Code, master, referee, and magistrate to complete at least eight hours of the training within the judge's first term of office or the judicial officer's first four years of service and provide a method for certification of completion of that training. At least six hours of the training must be dedicated to the training described by Subsections (d)(5), (6), and (7). The rules must require each judge and judicial officer to complete an additional three hours of training during each additional term in office or four years of service. The rules must exempt from the training requirement of this subsection each judge or judicial officer who files an affidavit stating that the judge or judicial officer does not hear any cases involving family violence, sexual assault, or child abuse. (c) In adopting the rules, the court of criminal appeals may consult with professional groups and associations in the state that have expertise in the subject matter to obtain the recommendations of those groups or associations for instruction content. (d) The instruction must include information about: (1) statutory and case law relating to videotaping a child's testimony and relating to competency of children to testify; (2) methods for eliminating the trauma to the child caused by the court process; (3) case law, statutory law, and procedural rules relating to family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse; (4) methods for providing protection for victims of family violence, sexual assault, or child abuse; (5) available community and state resources for counseling and other aid to victims and to offenders; (6) gender bias in the judicial process; and (7) dynamics and effects of being a victim of family violence, sexual assault, or child abuse. (e) The court of criminal appeals or the court's designee shall report the name of a judge or judicial officer who does not comply with the requirements of this section to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 507, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 390, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1999. § 22.111. TRAINING FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS RELATED TO PUNISHMENT ENHANCEMENT BECAUSE OF BIAS OR PREJUDICE. The court of criminal appeals shall provide to prosecuting attorneys training related to the use of Section 12.47, Penal Code, and Article 42.014, Code of Criminal Procedure, for enhancing punishment on a finding that an offense was committed because of the defendant's bias or prejudice as defined in Article 42.014, Code of Criminal Procedure. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 85, § 7.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. § 22.112. PERMANENT PLACE DESIGNATIONS. (a) The court of criminal appeals is composed of a presiding judge and of eight judges holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (b) The designation of offices and places under this section identifies the offices and places for all purposes, including identification on official ballots for primary and general elections. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 693, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.SUBCHAPTER C. COURTS OF APPEALS § 22.201. COURTS OF APPEALS DISTRICTS. (a) The state is divided into 14 courts of appeals districts with a court of appeals in each district. (b) The First Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington. (c) The Second Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Archer, Clay, Cooke, Denton, Hood, Jack, Montague, Parker, Tarrant, Wichita, Wise, and Young. (d) The Third Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Fayette, Hays, Irion, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, McCulloch, Milam, Mills, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Sterling, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson. (e) The Fourth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Brooks, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, LaSalle, McMullen, Mason, Maverick, Medina, Menard, Real, Starr, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, and Zavala. (f) The Fifth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Collin, Dallas, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, and Rockwall. (g) The Sixth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Titus, Upshur, and Wood. (h) The Seventh Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Cottle, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, Kent, King, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Terry, Wilbarger, Wheeler, and Yoakum. (i) The Eighth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Andrews, Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Loving, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Terrell, Upton, Ward, and Winkler. (j) The Ninth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, and Tyler. (k) The Tenth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Bosque, Burleson, Brazos, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Johnson, Leon, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Navarro, Robertson, Somervell, and Walker. (l) The Eleventh Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Baylor, Borden, Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Dawson, Eastland, Ector, Erath, Fisher, Gaines, Glasscock, Haskell, Howard, Jones, Knox, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Nolan, Palo Pinto, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, and Throckmorton. (m) The Twelfth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Houston, Nacogdoches, Rains, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood. (n) The Thirteenth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Cameron, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo, Jackson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Wharton, and Willacy. (o) The Fourteenth Court of Appeals District is composed of the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.02, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 44, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 315, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 662, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 542, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.202. FIRST COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the First Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Houston. (b) Harris County shall furnish and equip suitable rooms in Houston for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) The counties other than Harris County composing the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals Districts shall annually reimburse Harris County for the costs incurred by Harris County during its previous fiscal year for: (1) supplemental salaries and fringe benefits for the justices for those courts; and (2) furnishings, equipment, supplies, and utility expenses for those courts. (d) Each county shall pay a share based on the proportion its population bears to the total population of all the counties in those districts. A county shall pay its share not later than the 60th day after the beginning of the county's fiscal year. (e) The Commissioners Court of Harris County shall provide each county liable for the expenses with a statement of that county's share. The statement must be approved by the chief justices of the courts of appeals of the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals Districts. (f) The First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals shall establish a central clerk's office and offices for justices and other support personnel in Houston. The courts may establish offices for the clerks, justices, and other support personnel in other counties in the courts' district as each court determines necessary and convenient. (g) The First Court of Appeals may transact its business in any county in the First Court of Appeals District as the court determines necessary and convenient. (h) All civil and criminal cases directed to the First or Fourteenth Court of Appeals shall be filed in either the First or Fourteenth Court of Appeals as provided by this section. The trial clerk shall write the numbers of the two courts of appeals on identical slips of paper and place the slips in a container. When a notice of appeal or appeal bond is filed, the trial court clerk shall draw a number from the container at random, in a public place, and shall assign the case and any companion cases to the court of appeals for the corresponding number drawn. (i) Subject to Subchapter A, Chapter 73, the clerks of the First and the Fourteenth Courts of Appeals Districts may from time to time equalize the dockets of the two courts by transferring cases from one court to the other. The court to which the case is transferred has jurisdiction over the matter. (j) Each of the justices on the court of appeals shall designate the county of his permanent residence on the records of the court in which the justice serves. The county of a justice's permanent residence is the justice's permanent post of duty. (j-1) Expired. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.03 to 1.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. § 22.2021. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the First or Fourteenth Court of Appeals District shall establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the courts of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed from the county court, county courts at law, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred for the operation of the courts of appeals in this state for which the county is required by law to reimburse other counties in the court of appeals district. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court shall set a court costs fee of not more than $5 for each civil suit filed in county court, county court at law, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by the county or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate justice system fund. The commissioners court shall administer the fund to maintain the system in cooperation with the chief justice of the courts of appeals. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) The commissioners court shall annually order the funds collected under this section to be forwarded to the court of appeals for expenditure by the courts of appeals for the court of appeals district's judicial system. (f) The commissioners court has the authority necessary to assist the courts of appeals in the administration of the system, including the authority to contract with any private nonprofit corporation, public corporation, or a combination of those corporations. (g) The chief justice of the courts of appeals, with the approval and consent of the commissioners court, shall manage the fund. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, § 8.01(a), eff. Aug. 28, 1989. § 22.203. SECOND COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Second Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Fort Worth. (b) The court may transact its business in any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient. (c) to (f) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 693, § 4. (g) If any additional offices of justices of the court are created, the designation for those offices shall be in consecutive numerical order beginning with Place 8. If two or more offices of justice are created to take effect the same date, and the legislature does not specify places for those offices, the court shall by rule determine places for each office. If the court does not determine places before a person is appointed or elected to fill the initial vacancy, the places are determined by the seniority system established as provided by Subsection (f). Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.08, 2.05(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 693, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 22.2031. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the Second Court of Appeals District by order entered in its minutes may establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the court of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed with the court of appeals from the county courts, statutory county courts, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred by the county under Section 22.203. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court may set a court costs fee of not more than $5 for each civil suit filed in county court, statutory county court, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by the county or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate justice system fund. The commissioners court shall establish and maintain the fund to assist the court of appeals district. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) The commissioners court shall annually order the funds collected under this section to be forwarded to the court of appeals for expenditure by the court of appeals for its judicial system. (f) The commissioners court shall vest management of the system in the chief justice of the court of appeals. The commissioners court has the authority necessary to assist the court of appeals in the administration and management of the system and to contract with any private corporation, public corporation, or a combination of those corporations. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 93, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. § 22.204. THIRD COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Third Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Austin. (b) The court may transact its business at the county seat of any of the counties within its district as the court determines is necessary and convenient, except that all cases originating in Travis County shall be heard and transacted in that county. (c) The counties other than Travis County composing the Third Court of Appeals District shall annually reimburse Travis County for the costs incurred by Travis County during its previous fiscal year for supplemental salaries and fringe benefits for the justices of that court of appeals. (d) Each county, including Travis County, shall pay a share based on the proportion its population bears to the total population of all the counties in the district according to the most recent federal census. (e) A county shall pay its share not later than the 60th day after the beginning of the county's fiscal year. (f) The Commissioners Court of Travis County shall provide each county liable for the reimbursement with a statement of that county's share. The statement must be approved by the chief justice of the Court of Appeals for the Third Court of Appeals District. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.09, 2.06(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987. § 22.2041. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the Third Court of Appeals District, by order entered in its minutes, shall establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the court of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed with the court of appeals from the county courts, county courts at law, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred by the county under Section 22.204. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court shall set a court costs fee of $5 for each civil suit filed in county court, county court at law, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by the county or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate judicial system fund. The commissioners court shall administer the fund to establish and maintain a fund system to assist the court of appeals in the district. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) The commissioners court shall monthly order the funds collected under this section to be forwarded to the court of appeals for expenditures by the court of appeals for its judicial system. (f) The commissioners court shall vest management of the system in the chief justice of the court of appeals. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1341, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.205. FOURTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of San Antonio. (b) The court may transact its business at the county seat of any of the counties within its district, as the court determines is necessary and convenient, except that all cases originating in Bexar County that the court hears shall be heard and transacted in that county. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.07(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 99, § 1, eff. May 15, 1991. § 22.2051. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the Fourth Court of Appeals District, by order entered in its minutes, shall establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the court of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed with the court of appeals from the county courts, county courts at law, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred by the county under Section 22.205. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court shall set a court costs fee of not more than $5 for each civil suit filed in county court, county court at law, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by the county or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate judicial system fund. The commissioners court shall administer the fund to establish and maintain a fund system to assist the court of appeals in the district. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) The commissioners court shall monthly order the funds collected under this section to be forwarded to the court of appeals for expenditure by the court of appeals for its judicial system. (f) The commissioners court shall vest management of the system in the chief justice of the court of appeals. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 146, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. § 22.206. FIFTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Court of Appeals District shall be primarily held in the City of Dallas. (b) The court may transact its business in any county in the district as the court determines is necessary and convenient. (c) The court may establish offices for the clerk, justices, and other support personnel in any county in the district and in more than one location in any county in the district as the court determines is necessary and convenient. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.10, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 210, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. § 22.2061. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the Fifth Court of Appeals District, by order entered in its minutes, shall establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the court of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed with the court of appeals from the county court, county courts at law, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred by the county under Section 22.206. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court shall set a court costs fee of not more than $5 for each civil suit filed in county court, county court at law, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by the county or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate justice system fund. The commissioners court shall administer the fund to establish and maintain a fund system to assist the court of appeals in the district. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) The commissioners court has the authority necessary to assist the court of appeals in the administration of the system and the system's judicial and staff education program, including the authority to contract with any private nonprofit corporation, public corporation, or a combination of those corporations. (f) The commissioners court shall vest management of the system in the chief justice of the court of appeals in the district. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, § 8.02(a), eff. Aug. 28, 1989. § 22.207. SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Texarkana. (b) The court may transact its business in the City of Texarkana or the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient, except that all cases originating in Bowie County shall be heard and transacted in the City of Texarkana. (c) Repealed by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 542, § 2. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.11, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 647, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 153, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 542, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.208. SEVENTH COURT OF APPEALS. The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Amarillo. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.12, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. § 22.209. EIGHTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Eighth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of El Paso. (b) The court may transact its business at the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary and convenient, except all cases originating in El Paso County shall be heard and transacted in that county. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.13, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. § 22.210. NINTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Beaumont. (b) The City of Beaumont shall furnish and equip suitable rooms for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) The court may transact its business in the City of Beaumont or the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.14, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 22, § 1, eff. May 12, 2003. § 22.211. TENTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Tenth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Waco or in the county seat of any county located within the Tenth Court of Appeals District. (b) The City of Waco shall furnish and equip suitable rooms for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) Each of the justices on the court of appeals shall designate the county of his permanent residence on the records of the court in which the justice serves. The county of a justice's permanent residence is the justice's permanent post of duty. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.15, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 729, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. § 22.212. ELEVENTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Eastland. (b) Eastland County shall furnish and equip suitable rooms for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) The court may transact its business in the City of Eastland or in any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.16, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1366, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.2121. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the Eleventh Court of Appeals District, on request of the chief justice of the court of appeals, by order entered in its minutes shall establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the court of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed with the court of appeals from the county courts, statutory county courts, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred by the county under Section 22.212. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court shall set a court costs fee of $5 for each civil suit filed in county court, statutory county court, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by any governmental entity or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate justice system fund. The commissioners court shall establish and maintain the fund to assist the court of appeals district. The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) The commissioners court shall monthly order the funds collected under this section to be forwarded to the clerk of the court of appeals for expenditure by the court of appeals for its judicial system. (f) The commissioners court shall vest management of the system in the chief justice of the court of appeals. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1257, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.213. TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Twelfth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Tyler. (b) The City of Tyler and Smith County shall furnish and equip suitable rooms and a library for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) The court may transact its business in the City of Tyler or at the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient, except that all cases originating in Smith County shall be heard and transacted in the City of Tyler. (d) Repealed by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 542, § 2. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.17, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 604, § 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 647, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 542, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.214. THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Corpus Christi and the City of Edinburg. (b) Nueces County shall furnish and equip suitable rooms in the City of Corpus Christi and Hidalgo County shall furnish and equip suitable rooms in the City of Edinburg for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) The court may transact its business at the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary and convenient, except that: (1) all cases originating in Nueces County shall be heard and transacted in Nueces County; and (2) all cases originating in Cameron, Hidalgo, or Willacy County shall be heard and transacted in Cameron, Hidalgo, or Willacy County. (d) The commissioners courts of the counties in the district by adopting concurrent orders may authorize the payment of an automobile allowance in an amount not to exceed $15,000 annually to each of the justices of the court for automobile expenses incurred in performing official duties. (e) The automobile allowance authorized by Subsection (d) is not subject to: (1) the limitations on additional compensation paid to a justice of a court of appeals district imposed by Section 31.003; or (2) the salary differentials provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 659. (f) Nueces County shall each fiscal year pay the total amount of the supplemental salaries, car allowances, and fringe benefits to the justices of the court. Each county composing the district, except Nueces County, shall annually reimburse Nueces County for that county's portion of the total amount paid under this subsection by Nueces County during the preceding fiscal year. Each county in the district, including Nueces County, is liable for a share of the total amount paid, based on the proportion that county's population bears to the total population of all the counties in the district. (g) The Commissioners Court of Nueces County shall provide to each county liable for the reimbursement under Subsection (f) a statement of that county's share. The statement must be approved by the chief justice of the Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth Court of Appeals District. A county shall pay its share of the reimbursement not later than the 60th day after the beginning of the county's fiscal year. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.18, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1037, § 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1177, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. § 22.2141. APPELLATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. (a) The commissioners court of each county in the Thirteenth Court of Appeals District, by order entered in its minutes, shall establish an appellate judicial system to: (1) assist the court of appeals for the county in the processing of appeals filed with the court of appeals from the county courts, county courts at law, probate courts, and district courts; and (2) defray costs and expenses incurred by the county under Section 22.214. (b) To fund the system, the commissioners court shall set a court costs fee of not more than $5 for each civil suit filed in a county court, county court at law, probate court, or district court in the county. (c) The court costs fee does not apply to a suit filed by the county or to a suit for delinquent taxes. (d) The court costs fee shall be taxed, collected, and paid as other court costs in a suit. The clerk of the court shall collect the court costs fee set under this section and pay it to the county officer who performs the county treasurer's functions. That officer shall deposit the fee in a separate appellate judicial system fund. The commissioners court shall administer the fund to accomplish the purposes described by Subsection (a). The fund may not be used for any other purpose. (e) Not later than the 91st day of each county fiscal year, the commissioners court shall order the balance remaining in the appellate judicial system fund at the close of the previous fiscal year to be forwarded to the court of appeals for expenditure by the court of appeals for the court's judicial system. (f) The commissioners court shall vest management of the system in the chief justice of the court of appeals in the district. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1177, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. § 22.215. FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals District shall be held in the City of Houston. (b) Harris County shall furnish and equip suitable rooms in Houston for the court and the justices without expense to the state. (c) The Fourteenth Court of Appeals may transact its business in any county in the First Court of Appeals District as the court determines necessary and convenient. (d) Each of the justices on the court of appeals shall designate the county of his permanent residence on the records of the court in which the justice serves. The county of a justice's permanent residence is the justice's permanent post of duty. (e) Section 22.202, relating to the First Court of Appeals, contains provisions applicable to both that court and the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.19, 1.20, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. § 22.216. MEMBERSHIP; PERMANENT PLACE DESIGNATIONS. (a) The Court of Appeals for the First Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of eight justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (b) The Court of Appeals for the Second Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of six justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (c) The Court of Appeals for the Third Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of five justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (d) The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of six justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (e) The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of 12 justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (f) The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of two justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (g) The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of three justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (h) The Court of Appeals for the Eighth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of two justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (i) The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of three justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (j) The Court of Appeals for the Tenth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of two justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (k) The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of two justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (l) The Court of Appeals for the Twelfth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of two justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (m) The Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of five justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (n) The Court of Appeals for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of eight justices holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2. (o) The designation of offices and places under this section identifies the offices and places for all purposes, including identification on official ballots for primary and general elections. (p) If any additional offices of justice of a court of appeals are created, the designation for those offices shall be in consecutive numerical order beginning with the next available place number. If two or more offices of justice are created to take effect the same date, and the legislature does not specify places for those offices, the applicable court of appeals shall by rule determine places for each office. If the court does not determine places before a person is appointed or elected to fill the initial vacancy, the places are determined by seniority. The chief justice of the applicable court shall file the names and place numbers of the justices with the secretary of state and the clerk of the court. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.21 to 1.34, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 315, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 315, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 662, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 662, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 693, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 22.217. DISQUALIFICATION. (a) The fact that at least two members of a court of appeals are disqualified to determine a case in the court shall be certified to the governor. (b) The governor immediately shall commission the requisite number of persons who are learned in the law to try and determine the case. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.218. TERM OF COURT. The term of each court of appeals begins and ends with each calendar year. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.219. ADJOURNMENT. (a) A court of appeals may adjourn from day to day or for the periods that it considers proper. (b) If a quorum of a court is not present on any day of the term, a justice of the court or the bailiff attending the court may adjourn the court from time to time until a quorum is present, but the court may not be finally adjourned for the term. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.220. CIVIL JURISDICTION. (a) Each court of appeals has appellate jurisdiction of all civil cases within its district of which the district courts or county courts have jurisdiction when the amount in controversy or the judgment rendered exceeds $100, exclusive of interest and costs. (b) If a court of appeals having jurisdiction in a case, matter, or controversy that requires immediate action is unable to take immediate action because the illness, absence, or unavailability of the justices causes fewer than three members of the court to be present, the nearest available court of appeals, under rules prescribed by the supreme court, may take the action required in the case, matter, or controversy. (c) Each court of appeals may, on affidavit or otherwise, as the court may determine, ascertain the matters of fact that are necessary to the proper exercise of its jurisdiction. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.221. WRIT POWER. (a) Each court of appeals or a justice of a court of appeals may issue a writ of mandamus and all other writs necessary to enforce the jurisdiction of the court. (b) Each court of appeals for a court of appeals district may issue all writs of mandamus, agreeable to the principles of law regulating those writs, against a: (1) judge of a district or county court in the court of appeals district; or (2) judge of a district court who is acting as a magistrate at a court of inquiry under Chapter 52, Code of Criminal Procedure, in the court of appeals district. (c) Repealed by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 2.03, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. (d) Concurrently with the supreme court, the court of appeals of a court of appeals district in which a person is restrained in his liberty, or a justice of the court of appeals, may issue a writ of habeas corpus when it appears that the restraint of liberty is by virtue of an order, process, or commitment issued by a court or judge because of the violation of an order, judgment, or decree previously made, rendered, or entered by the court or judge in a civil case. Pending the hearing of an application for a writ of habeas corpus, the court of appeals or a justice of the court of appeals may admit to bail a person to whom the writ of habeas corpus may be granted. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 69, § 1, eff. May 6, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, § 1.35, 2.03, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 58, § 1, eff. May 2, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 839, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. § 22.222. COURT SITTING IN PANELS. (a) Each court of appeals may sit in panels of not fewer than three justices for the purpose of hearing cases. (b) If more than one panel is used, the court of appeals shall establish rules to periodically rotate the justices among the panels. Permanent civil panels and criminal panels without rotation may not be established. (c) A majority of a panel constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and the concurrence of a majority of a panel is necessary for a decision. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.223. COURT SITTING EN BANC. (a) The chief justice of each court of appeals, under rules established by the court, shall convene the court en banc for the transaction of all business other than the hearing of cases and may convene the court en banc for the purpose of hearing cases. (b) When convened en banc, a majority of the membership of the court constitutes a quorum and the concurrence of a majority of the court sitting en banc is necessary for a decision. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.224. SEAL. The clerk of each court of appeals shall obtain a seal for the court. The seal shall have a star with five points and the words "Court of Appeals of the State of Texas" engraved on it. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.225. EFFECT OF JUDGMENT IN CIVIL CASES. (a) A judgment of a court of appeals is conclusive on the facts of the case in all civil cases. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) or (d), a judgment of a court of appeals is conclusive on the law and facts, and a petition for review is not allowed to the supreme court, in the following civil cases: (1) a case appealed from a county court or from a district court when, under the constitution, a county court would have had original or appellate jurisdiction of the case, with the exception of a probate matter or a case involving state revenue laws or the validity or construction of a statute; (2) a case of a contested election other than a contested election for a state officer, with the exception of a case where the validity of a statute is questioned by the decision; (3) an appeal from an interlocutory order appointing a receiver or trustee or from other interlocutory appeals that are allowed by law; (4) an appeal from an order or judgment in a suit in which a temporary injunction has been granted or refused or when a motion to dissolve has been granted or overruled; and (5) all other cases except the cases where appellate jurisdiction is given to the supreme court and is not made final in the courts of appeals. (c) This section does not deprive the supreme court of jurisdiction of a civil case brought to the court of appeals from an appealable judgment of a trial court in which the justices of the courts of appeals disagree on a question of law material to the decision or in which one of the courts of appeals holds differently from a prior decision of another court of appeals or of the supreme court, as provided by Subdivisions (1) and (2) of Section 22.001(a). (d) A petition for review is allowed to the supreme court for an appeal from an interlocutory order described by Section 51.014(a)(3), (6), or (11), Civil Practice and Remedies Code. (e) For purposes of Subsection (c), one court holds differently from another when there is inconsistency in their respective decisions that should be clarified to remove unnecessary uncertainty in the law and unfairness to litigants. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1106, § 2, eff. June 20, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 855, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, § 1.02, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 97, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 22.226. MANDATE. When the court from which an appeal is taken is deprived of jurisdiction over the case pending the appeal and the case is determined by a court of appeals or the court of criminal appeals, the mandate of the appellate court that determines the case shall be directed to the court that had jurisdiction over the case, as also provided by Section 22.102. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.228. SPECIAL COMMISSIONER. (a) The other justices of a court of appeals shall certify to the governor the following facts when they occur: (1) a justice of the court of appeals is totally disabled to discharge any of the duties of his office because of physical or mental illness that probably is permanent, has remained in that condition continuously for at least one year, and probably will continue to be incapacitated by the illness for the balance of his term of office; or (2) a justice of the court of appeals has been called or ordered into the active military service of the United States. (b) On receipt of a certificate that a justice is disabled or on active military service, the governor shall investigate and verify the facts contained in the certificate. If the governor determines that the appointment of a special commissioner is necessary, he promptly shall appoint a special commissioner who has the qualifications of a member of a court of appeals to assist the court. (c) A special commissioner may sit with the court, hear arguments on submitted cases, and write opinions on the cases if directed to do so by the court. When the opinion of a special commissioner is adopted by the court of appeals, it becomes the opinion of the court. (d) A special commissioner appointed by the governor shall receive the same compensation as a regular justice of the courts of appeals. (e) A special commissioner who is appointed because of the disability of a justice serves on the court until the recovery from the disability, the death, or the expiration of the term of the disabled justice, except that a special commissioner may not serve for more than two years under the same appointment. In the event of a recovery from the disability, a majority of the justices of the court of appeals shall certify to the governor that the disabled justice is recovered. The certificate of a majority of the justices is conclusive evidence of the recovery of the disabled justice. (f) A special commissioner who is appointed because a justice is on active military service serves on the court until the discharge of the justice from the military service or the expiration of the term of the justice who is on military service, except that a special commissioner may not serve more than two years under the same appointment. When the active military service of a justice of a court of appeals is terminated, the other justices of the court shall certify the termination to the governor. The certificate of the other justices is conclusive evidence of the termination of the active military service. (g) This section does not give the members of a court of appeals or the governor the power to remove or suspend from office a justice of a court of appeals or to interfere with a justice in his constitutional rights and powers. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.SUBCHAPTER D. GENERAL PROVISIONS § 22.301. SALARIES OF OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL OF APPELLATE COURTS. The salaries of the state prosecuting attorney and the clerks, other officers, and employees of the supreme court, court of criminal appeals, and courts of appeals shall be determined by the legislature in its appropriation acts for the support of the judiciary. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. § 22.302. USE OF TELECONFERENCING TECHNOLOGY. (a) At the discretion of its chief justice or presiding judge, the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, or a court of appeals may order that oral argument be presented through the use of teleconferencing technology. The court and the parties or their attorneys may participate in oral argument from any location through the use of teleconferencing technology. (b) In this section, "teleconferencing technology" means technology that provides for a conference of individuals in different locations, connected by electronic means, through both audio and video. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 732, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1085, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
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