1. Chapter 25 The Texas Judiciary

2. The Texas Judiciary Court structure The legal process How judges are selected The importance of the Texas courts

3. Court Structure How can one describe the large and complex structure of the Texas court system? What is the jurisdiction and authority of each court?

4. Court Structure Two supreme courts –Texas Supreme Court –Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Courts of appeals District courts County courts Justice of the peace Municipal courts

7. The Legal Process What are the differences between civil law and criminal law in Texas? How is the legal process different in civil and criminal cases?

8. The Law Civil law Criminal law

9. The Process Criminal –Texas Penal Code –District attorney –Grand jury –Beyond a reasonable doubt –Pleas Civil –Common law –Petition –Preponderance of the evidence –Settlement

12. How Judges Are Selected What is the most important feature of how judges are selected in Texas? How does this procedure influence the courts?

13. The Selection of Judges Judges are elected to office as partisan candidates. Judges tend to be elected with the support of either the plaintiff’s bar or the defense bar. The governor may make appointments to fill vacancies.

16. Alternative Methods of Selection Nonpartisan elections Appointment by governor Merit selection Appoint–elect–retain

19. The Importance of Texas Courts What are some of the ways that courts in Texas have an important impact on the lives of all Texans?

20. Important Issues The death penalty Sentencing and prison overcrowding Civil litigation and tort reform