Appellate Courts and Procedure in Texas Archives | Texapedia

Texas Supreme Court Oil Painting

Appellate Courts and Procedure in Texas Judiciary

Supreme Court of Texas

This guide explains the constitutional role, jurisdictional limits, and internal procedures of the Texas Supreme Court.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

Appellate Courts and Procedure in Texas Judiciary Legal History The Reconstruction Era (1865–1874)

The Origins of Texas’ System of Two High Courts

The history, benefits, and disadvantages of Texas's system of having two courts of last resort, the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

Appellate Courts and Procedure in Texas Judiciary Texas Law and Statutes

Standards of Appellate Review in Texas

Appellate courts do not simply rehear cases from scratch. Instead, they apply carefully defined standards of review—legal frameworks that determine how much deference to give the decisions made by trial judges or juries.

Texapedia StaffJune 7, 2025

Courtroom of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Appellate Courts and Procedure in Texas Criminal Justice System Judiciary Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest appellate court in Texas for criminal cases and the final authority on questions of interpreting criminal law.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

Appellate Courts and Procedure in Texas Judiciary

Texas Courts of Appeals

Learn about the Texas' Courts of Appeals, their place in the judicial hierarchy, and their jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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