Author Question: Describe the types of county courts and their jurisdiction and give an example of the type of case ... (Read 116 times)

jake · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

Describe the types of county courts and their jurisdiction and give an example of the type of case that can be tried in each type of county court.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Provide arguments that support the view that the process used by Texans for selecting judges is highly politicized.

What will be an ideal response?

zenzy · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer:
A. Two types of country courts
1. county at law courts: judicial courts
a. county-court-of-law
b. constitutional county court
c. probate court
2. county commissioner court: legislative only
B. jurisdiction
1. county-court-of-law and constitutional county court have both original and appellate jurisdiction
2. appellate jurisdiction is restricted to cases from municipal and judicial courts
3. hear trial de novo cases
C. types of cases
1. criminal cases dominate docket
a. driving while intoxicated
b. assault resulting in bodily injury
c. marijuana possession under 4 ounces
d. Class A and Class B misdemeanors
e. defendants can choose bench trial or jury trial
2. civil cases
a. personal injury lawsuits
b. tax disputes
3. probate courts hear matters involving wills and estates

Answer to Question 2

Answer:
A. Politicized nature of judges selection
1. selected through popular election in Texas
a. requires judges to identify with a political party
b. must participate in the campaign process
B. Framers of Texas constitution felt that politicizing selection of judges would make them more responsive to voters
1. this has actually increased judges to be more politically minded due to voter apathy
2. judges more political in their responsiveness to special interest groups since they are their biggest campaign contributors
C. Cost of judges campaigns have increased
1. raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for campaign ads
2. do not normally have name recognition
3. supreme court candidates raise over one million with the help of PACs
D. Scandals are a consequence of the politicized nature
1. 1980s scandal of allegations against Texas supreme court justices
2. accused of trading votes for campaign contributions
3. changing liability law in return for campaign contributions