Quiz 7 - Texas Courts
Each county in Texas has at least how many district courts?
- 1
What is tort law?
- A branch of civil law dealing w/ harm done by one party to another where the remedy is economic payments to the injured party
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 defendant is guilty in criminal cases?
- beyond a reasonable doubt
What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear?
- civil appeals
Civil law focuses on __________________, while criminal law focuses on ___________________________.
- disputes about relationships, obligations, and responsibilities - violations of codes of right and wrong as determined by criminal statutes
In spite of judicial campaigns, voters often know little about judicial candidates in Texas. As a result, they vote ...
- for the party label
District courts usually have ________________ jurisdiction, meaning that they hear a broad range of civil & criminal cases.
- general
Texas officially uses which method to select state judges?
- partisan election
In civil cases, the burden is on the plaintiff, & the standard that must be met is known as ...
- preponderance of the evidence
Courts of appeal have the authority to do what?
- review the decisions of lower courts to determine whether legal principles & court procedures were followed correctly
Justice of the peace courts in Texas handle which kind of disputes?
- small claims
Veterans' courts, DWI courts, and drug courts are types of ...
- specialty courts
Courts that can review matters relating to probate, which is the disposition of estates & property of deceased people, are referred to as what?
- statutory probate courts
Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?
- the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
County judges in Texas preside over ...
- the county commissioners' court
What happens in a bench trial?
- the defendant gives up his/her right to a trial by jury - the trial is conducted w/ ONLY the judge
What is the purpose of a grand jury?
- to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to justify a trial
Municipal courts in Texas have jurisdiction over ...
- violations of city ordinances
Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas?
- voters are called upon to vote for too many different races in a single election