Glossary
Overview
Glossary
Glossary: The Court System of Texas
arraignment: when a defendant is formally charged and made aware of their rights
capital case: a criminal case in which the death penalty is a possible punishment
civil law: a branch of law that deals with disputes, usually between private individuals over relationships, obligations, and responsibility
complaint: the presentation of a grievance by the plaintiff in a civil case
courts of appeal: the 14 intermediate-level appellate courts that hear appeals from district and county courts to determine whether the decisions of these lower courts followed legal principles and court procedures.
criminal law: the branch of law that regulates the conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishments for criminal acts.
defendant: an individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law
district courts: the major trial courts in Texas, which usually have general jurisdiction over a broad range of civil and criminal cases
due process: in the Texas criminal justice system, the state must ensure that every person is treated equally in legal matters
felony: a serious criminal offense, punishable by a prison sentence or a fine; a capital felony is punishable by death or a life sentence
hierarchical: In the Texas court system, cases start in local trial courts, then work their way up to appeals courts.
justice of the peace courts: local trial courts with limited jurisdiction over small claims and very minor criminal misdemeanors
juvenile courts: in Texas, a juvenile is defined as young as 10 years old, and a juvenile can be convicted as an adult as young as 14 years old. Juvenile courts preside in the District Courts
misdemeanor: a minor criminal offense usually punishable by a small fine or short jail sentence
municipal courts: local trial courts with limited jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances and very minor criminal misdemeanors
plaintiff: the party who initiates a lawsuit (also known as an action) before a court in order to seek a legal remedy
plea bargaining: occurs when the defendant and the prosecutor negotiate a deal to avoid having to go to trial
precedent: in common law legal systems, a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding on or persuasive for a court or other tribunal when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts.
probate courts: handle wills and estates for deceased persons in Texas’ largest counties
Texas Supreme Court: the highest civil court in Texas; consists of nine justices and has final state appellate authority over civil cases.
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The Court System of Texas: Glossary. Authored by: Andrew Teas. License: CC BY: Attribution