1. Chapter Ten Texas Court System

2. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-2 Introduction This presentation will allow you to follow various types of court cases through the Texas court system. This is based on Figure 10.1, so you may refer to the book if you get “lost.” Click on the buttons that represent your choices, or on the arrows to move from one slide to the next.

3. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-3 Level of Courts Before you choose the type of case, consider that there are three levels of courts in Texas: Local County State So as you follow your case, look for each level and see where your case is!

4. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-4 Types of Cases Civil case Dispute between two parties Usually involves a question of authority or responsibility Criminal case Person(s) accused of violating one or more laws Government must prove case beyond reasonable doubt Civil Case Criminal Case

5. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-5 Level of Case? Local County State

6. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-6 Level of Case? (Cont’d) Local County State

7. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-7 Civil Case Local: There isn’t much work for many local courts in this area. Some JP courts perform the “small claims” function in which the amount in dispute is small. Example: Did you “give” or “loan” your neighbor your lawn mower? Appeal?Start Over

8. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-8 Civil Case (Cont’d) County: If the amount in dispute is over $200, but less than $5,000 ($100,000 in Courts at law) this is where your case goes. These are obviously more serious disputes, and sometimes businesses are involved. Example: A business sues a former employee to recover costs incurred by the employee (like stolen equipment). Appeal?Start Over

9. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-9 Civil Case (Cont’d) State: These are the most serious cases– divorces, contested elections, etc. The trial court is the local District Court; some counties have several. Businesses are often involved in suing each other over contracts. Appeal? Start Over

10. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-10 Civil Case (Cont’d) Appeal: The Courts of Appeals hears cases from both the county courts and the district courts. In some cases, like divorces, their decision is final. In the rest of the cases, you might appeal. Appeal?Start Over

11. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-11 Civil Case (Cont’d) Final Stop: Supreme Court of Texas This is the final court for the state of Texas. Their decision is final, and it may take several months for them to reach a decision in your case. Appeal?Start Over

12. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-12 Criminal Case Local: In municipal courts, cases are violations of city ordinances, like speeding. In JP courts, cases are Class C misdemeanors. These courts generally don’t keep records. Appeal?Start Over

13. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-13 Criminal Case (Cont’d) County: These courts hear Class A & B misdemeanor cases. There may be an occasional appeal from a local court– but that usually means a new trial. Appeal? Start Over

14. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-14 Criminal Case (Cont’d) State: This is the place for felonies– the most serious of crimes. Once again, the trial court is the District Court; some hear only these types of cases.

15. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-15 Criminal Case (Cont’d) State: One thing to keep in mind about these cases: There are TWO levels of punishment: Capital Non-capital So there are two paths for possible appeals Capital Appeal?Start Over Non-Capital Appeal?

16. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-16 Criminal Case (Cont’d) Appeal: In non-capital punishment cases, these judges will render their decision on the district court. It is an intermediate step in some cases. Appeal? Start Over

17. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-17 Criminal Case (Cont’d) Final Stop: Court of Criminal Appeals Death penalty cases automatically come here. An appeal from a Court of Appeals comes here too. It can take nearly 3 years (versus 1 year) to decide a death penalty case. Appeal? Start Over

18. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10-18 Final Stop This is the end of the line (in most cases) for your case. There are no appeals beyond the court you just left- its decision is final. You can try your case in federal courts, but that’s for another course. Start Over Return to Last Court END