Two Constitutions: U.S. Constitution VS Texas Constitution
In many ways, the United States Constitution and Texas Constitutions are similar. Both have a preamble and a Bill of Rights to protect civil liberties. They were written to form a new government with three branches, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. And both gave each branch the ability to check the powers of the other branches to prevent abuse of power. But there are also many differences within the three branches of each government.
Executive Branch
The U.S. Constitution utilizes a unitary executive power bestowed to the President of the United States. The President acts as head of state, is the Commander and Chief of the armed forces, and is responsible for …show more content…
Whereas Texas has a bifurcated appellate system, the Texas Supreme Courts handles appeals in civil matters (except for juvenile defendants) and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals hears cases of criminal matters (excluding juvenile proceedings) and the other courts have blurred lines of jurisdiction. The Texas district courts are general jurisdiction trial courts but share jurisdiction with County Courts and some Justice of the Peace cases. County courts have exclusive jurisdiction over misdemeanors (offenses involving jail time), and concurrent jurisdiction over civil cases, and appellate jurisdiction over JP and municipal court cases. Municipal courts relate to crimes of public safety and quality of life problems. And then the lowest level of court in Texas, the Justice of the Peace that handles class C misdemeanors punishable by fine only. Judges, in Texas are elected in partisan elections for 4 year terms, and appeals court judges are elected for 6 year terms. If a position become vacant the Governor may fill the vacancy by appointing a replacement until the next
In many ways, the United States Constitution and Texas Constitutions are similar. Both have a preamble and a Bill of Rights to protect civil liberties. They were written to form a new government with three branches, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. And both gave each branch the ability to check the powers of the other branches to prevent abuse of power. But there are also many differences within the three branches of each government.
Executive Branch
The U.S. Constitution utilizes a unitary executive power bestowed to the President of the United States. The President acts as head of state, is the Commander and Chief of the armed forces, and is responsible for …show more content…
Whereas Texas has a bifurcated appellate system, the Texas Supreme Courts handles appeals in civil matters (except for juvenile defendants) and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals hears cases of criminal matters (excluding juvenile proceedings) and the other courts have blurred lines of jurisdiction. The Texas district courts are general jurisdiction trial courts but share jurisdiction with County Courts and some Justice of the Peace cases. County courts have exclusive jurisdiction over misdemeanors (offenses involving jail time), and concurrent jurisdiction over civil cases, and appellate jurisdiction over JP and municipal court cases. Municipal courts relate to crimes of public safety and quality of life problems. And then the lowest level of court in Texas, the Justice of the Peace that handles class C misdemeanors punishable by fine only. Judges, in Texas are elected in partisan elections for 4 year terms, and appeals court judges are elected for 6 year terms. If a position become vacant the Governor may fill the vacancy by appointing a replacement until the next