Chapter 3 - Court System

Front 1

Municpal Court

Back 1

-usually appointed by city council
-deals with ordinances in cities and minor (C-class) criminal violations
-courts do not have record so appeals are retired (except dallas & lubbuck)

Hint 1

- Tier 1 Trial Court
- Texas

Front 2

Justice of the Peace Court

Back 2

- elected to 4 year term, does not need law license
- class c misdemeanors (criminal)
- civil matters up to $10,000

Hint 2

- Tier 1 Trial Court
- Texas
- Created by Texas Constitution

Front 3

Small Claims Court

Back 3

-elected to 4 year term, does not need law license (same judge as JOP Court)
-no criminal jurisdiction
-civil matters up to $10,000

Hint 3

-Tier 1 Trial Court
-People's Court of Texas
-Statutory Court created by legislature

Front 4

County Court

Back 4

- elected to 4 year term, familiar with law
- appeals from Tier 1 courts (not true appellate court)
-higher level (A & B) criminal cases
-civil cases from $200-$10000
- probate law, juvenile matters

Hint 4

- Tier 2 Trial Court
- Created by Texas Constitution
- Only ONE per county
- has original jurisdiction

Front 5

County Court of Law

Back 5

- elected to 4 year term, MUST have law license
- 25 years old, resident of county for 2 years, citizen of Texas, licensed judge for at least 4 years
- Civil cases up to $100,000
- Can have family law jurisdiction
- Can be appellate court (not true appellate)
- Can hear juvenile cases and mental capacity hearings
- Can be specialized (Harris County)

Hint 5

- Tier 2 Trial Court
- Statutory Court created under Texas Legislature
- Jurisdiction and number vary from county to county

Front 6

District Court

Back 6

- elected by district to 4 year term, MUST be licensed
- 25 years, resident of district for 2 years, citizen of Texas, licensed
- Civil cases from $500 to unlimited
- Family Law (divorce, adoption, etc.)
- Criminal cases = felony, some misdemeanors
- NOT an appellate court

Hint 6

- Tier 2 Trial Court
- Statutory Court under Texas Legislature (originally constitution)
- Can be several courts with same district
- 2/3 Civil, 1/3 Criminal

Front 7

Court of Appeals

Back 7

- first level appellate court (14 in Texas)
- 3-9 judges in each court of appeals
- elected to 6 year overlapping terms, be at least 35 years old, 10 years of experience as attorney
- 1 Chief Justice and other associate justices (cases heard en banc)

Hint 7

- Appellate Court
- Appeals from all Tier 2 courts = fine of at least $100, imprisonment and or constitutional issue

Front 8

Court of Criminal Appeals

Back 8

- staggered 6 year terms (every 2 years)
- 9 members ( 1 Chief, 8 associate that are elected statewide)

Hint 8

- Appellate Court
- Only criminal jurisdiction (highest)

Front 9

Texas Supreme Court

Back 9

- 9 member elected statewide for staggered 6 year terms (every 2 years)
- Determine state bar qualifications and civil procedure rules
- Final court for civil and juvenile cases unless involves constitutional issue (appealed to federal)

Hint 9

- Appellate Court
- Only Civil Jurisdiction (Highest)

Front 10

Federal District Courts

Back 10

- At least one, per state (4 districts in Texas)
- usually 1 judge
- usually jury of 12 people

Hint 10

- Federal Trial Court
- Do not cross over state bounderies

Front 11

Federal Courts of Appeal

Back 11

- 13 circuits (11 for states, 1 for DC, and 1 specialized for patent law)
- Normally have 3 judge panel (en banc)
- Appeals from all Federal District courts in circuit

Hint 11

- 5th circuit = Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana district courts
- Appellate Court precedent only binding on District Courts within circuit

Front 12

The Supreme Court

Back 12

- 8 associate justices, 1 chief justice
- cases heard by all 9 justices
- Rarely has original court jurisdiction (constitutional)
- 4 justice must agree to hear case (rule of 4's)

Hint 12

- 100 to 150 cases per year
- Court of last resort for all State and Federal courts

Front 13

Specialized Courts and Administrative Agencies

Back 13

- created for specialization/expertise