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Constitutional County Courts
Each county in Texas has a single county court presided over by a county judge. The constitutional county courts generally hear the probate cases filed in the county. They have original jurisdiction over all Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases, which are the more serious minor offenses. These courts usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts, except in counties where county courts at law have been established. These courts share jurisdiction with justice of the peace and district courts in civil cases in which the amount in controversy is small. Content Detail
- By:
- Texas Association of Counties
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Court of Criminal Appeals
The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest state court for appeals resulting from criminal cases. The Court holds sessions throughout the year in Austin, Texas. The Court is comprised of 9 members, a Presiding Judge and eight Judges. Decisions of the Courts of Appeals in criminal cases may be appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeals by petition for discretionary review, filed either by the state, or the defendant, or both. In addition, the Court may review a decision on its own motion. All cases which result in the Death Penalty are automatically directed to the Court of Criminal Appeals from the trial court level. Content Detail
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2013 Referral Directory Legal Services and Other Resources
Legal services and other resources for low-income Texans. Read More
- By:
- State Bar of Texas Legal Services Support Division
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Living Trust Scams and the Senior Consumer
Learn how to avoid becoming a victim when purchasing a living trust. Content Detail
- By:
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Statutory County Courts
Because the Constitution limits each county to a single county court, the Legislature has created statutory county courts at law in the larger counties to aid the single county court in its judicial functions. The legal jurisdiction of the special county-level trial courts varies considerably and is established by the statute which creates the particular court. The jurisdiction of statutorily-created county courts at law is usually concurrent with the jurisdiction of the county and district courts in the county. The civil jurisdiction of most county courts at law varies, but is usually more than that of the justice of the peace courts and less than that of the district courts. County courts at law usually have appellate jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts. Content Detail
- By:
- Texas Association of Counties
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Statutory Probate Courts
The Statutory Probate Courts of Texas are located in the state's six largest metropolitan areas and have original and exclusive jurisdiction over their counties' probate matters, guardianship cases, and mental health commitments. In most counties, the constitutional county court has original probate jurisdiction. In some counties, the Legislature has authorized certain statutorily created county courts to share this original jurisdiction. The original probate jurisdiction of district courts is limited to those situations in which a contested probate matter is transferred from a constitutional county court and when the Legislature has granted the district court original control and jurisdiction over personal representatives. In the more populated counties, the Legislature has created specialized probate courts (entitled statutory probate courts) to hear probate matters exclusively. Thus, depending on the jurisdictional grant by the Legislature, probate matters might be heard in the county court, county court at law, statutory probate court, or district court of a particular county. Content Detail
- By:
- Office of Court Administration
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How to Research a Legal Problem
This guide is intended to help a person with a legal problem find legal rules that can resolve or prevent conflict. Read More
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Texas Courts of Appeals
The fourteen Courts of Appeals have intermediate appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases appealed from district or county courts. Each Court of Appeals has jurisdiction in a specific geographical region of the State. Each Court is presided over by a chief justice and has at least two other justices. The specific number of justices on each Court is set by statute and ranges from three to thirteen. Presently there are eighty justices authorized for these Courts. Appeals in the Courts of Appeals are usually heard by a panel of three justices, unless in a particular case an en banc hearing is ordered, in which instance all the justices of that Court hear and consider the case. Content Detail
- By:
- Office of Court Administration
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Texas Court Structure
Chart that explains the levels of courts within the Texas court system, the types of courts, and their jurisdiction. Content Detail
- By:
- Texas Judiciary Online
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Texas District Courts
The district courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. The geographical area served by each court is established by the Legislature, but each county must be served by at least one district court. In sparsely populated areas of the State, several counties may be served by a single district court, while an urban county may be served by many district courts. District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount in controversy (the amount of money or damages involved) is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court. While most district courts try both criminal and civil cases, in the more densely populated counties the courts may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters. Content Detail
- By:
- Office of Court Administration
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The Truth About Living Trusts
Just like a will, a revocable living trust is a written document that lets you direct how your property will pass after your death. Unlike a will, it also directs how you want your property managed during any disability. Content Detail
- By:
- AARP
