Exam 3 (texas courts)
each county in Texas has at least how many districts
1
in spite of judicial campaigns, voters often know little about judicial candidates in Texas, as a result they vote
For the party label
municipal courts in Texas have jurisdiction over
Violation of city ordinances
Texas officially uses which method to select state judges?
partisan election
courts of appeal have the authority to do what?
review the decisions of lower courts
which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases
Texas court of criminal appeals
before 1978, partisanship was not a factor in Texas judicial elections because
Texas was effectively a one-party state
which standard must be met to prove that the dependent is guilty in criminal cases
beyond a reasonable doubt
Civil law focuses on __________________, while criminal law focuses on __________________.
disputes about relationships, obligations, and responsibilities. violations of the code of rights and wrongs determine by criminal statutes.
why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas
voters are called upon to vote for 1000 many different judicial races in a single election
what happens in a bench trial
The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury, instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge
what is a tort law
a branch of civil law dealing with harm done by one party to another where the remedy is economic payments to the injured party
what type of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear
civil appeals
district covers usually have ___ jurisdiction meaning that they hear a brass range of civil and criminal cases
general
justice of the peace courts in Texas handle which kind of disputes
small claims
veterans courts, Dwi courts, and drugs courts are types of
speciality courts
Courts that can review matters relating to the disposition of property of deceased persons are referred to as what?
statutory probate
county judges in Texas preside over
the county commissioners court
In civil cases, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, who must meet a standard known as __________________.
the preponderance of the evidence
what is the purpose of a grand jury
to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to justify a trial