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