Texas Courts – Understanding the Court System in Texas
The Texas court system is one of the largest and most complex in the nation, designed to handle a wide range of legal matters. Understanding how Texas courts are organized—and which court hears what type of case—can help you navigate legal proceedings with confidence. Texas has both state and federal courts, with the state court system further divided into trial courts, appellate courts, and the state’s highest courts.
State vs. Federal Courts in Texas
Texas has two main types of courts:
- State Courts – Handle cases involving Texas state laws.
- Federal Courts – Handle cases involving federal laws, constitutional issues, and disputes between states or parties from different states.
Types of State Courts in Texas
1. Municipal Courts
- Purpose: Handle minor criminal offenses, including traffic tickets and violations of city ordinances.
- Jurisdiction: Within the city limits.
- Examples of Cases: Speeding tickets, parking violations, local code violations.
2. Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts
- Purpose: Handle small civil disputes and minor criminal cases.
- Jurisdiction: Misdemeanors punishable by fines only, small claims up to $10,000, landlord–tenant disputes.
- Other Duties: May perform marriage ceremonies and act as coroner in some counties.
3. County Courts
- Purpose: Mid-level courts that hear a variety of cases.
- Jurisdiction: Misdemeanors with potential jail time, probate matters, and certain civil cases up to the statutory limit (often $200,000, depending on the type of case).
4. District Courts
- Purpose: Primary trial courts for serious matters.
- Jurisdiction: Felony criminal cases, family law disputes (including divorce and child custody), civil cases over $200,000, land title disputes, election contests.
Texas Appellate Courts
5. Courts of Appeals
- Purpose: Review decisions from lower trial courts for legal errors.
- Jurisdiction: 14 Courts of Appeals throughout Texas, each serving a specific region.
Highest Courts in Texas
Texas has a unique “dual high court” system:
- Supreme Court of Texas – Final appellate authority for civil and juvenile cases.
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals – Final appellate authority for criminal cases.
Texas Courts – Types, Jurisdiction & Structure of the Texas Court System
| Court Type | Jurisdiction Level | Common Case Types | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Court | Local | Traffic tickets, city ordinance violations | City limits |
| Justice of the Peace | Local | Small claims under $10,000, fines-only crimes | Precinct |
| County Court | County | Misdemeanors with jail time, probate, civil | Countywide |
| District Court | Regional | Felonies, family law, large civil disputes | District |
| Courts of Appeals | Regional | Appeals from trial courts | Multi-county |
| Supreme Court of Texas | Statewide | Civil & juvenile final appeals | Statewide |
| Court of Criminal Appeals | Statewide | Criminal final appeals | Statewide |