Law and Legal Research Starter

The Texas Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state for civil and juvenile proceedings. It consists of one chief justice and eight justices. Justices are elected to staggered six-year terms in state elections. The court oversees the State Bar of Texas and also appoints members of the Texas Board of Law Examiners .

The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest appellate court in Texas for criminal matters. It consists of one chief justice and eight justices. It is responsible for making final judgments in all criminal proceedings. Members are elected to six year terms by voter elections.

The Court of Appeals is divided by 14 courts that share regional intermediate appellate jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters from state and county trial courts.

The trial courts in Texas are subdivided by district, county, and municipal courts. Each court shares limited to special jurisdiction over civil and criminal proceedings.

The Bexar County Courts portal contains a repository of resources related to civil and criminal district courts in Bexar County as well as county courts and specialty courts such as juvenile courts, DWI court, and magistrate court.

Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction in civil matters at the local level. In addition, they have original jurisdiction in criminal ordinance cases.

An interactive map provided by the Texas Judicial Branch that allows the public to search what courts exist in a specific county.