Texas Judicial Council

Advisory Role

The Texas Judicial Council is the policy-making body for the Texas judiciary, consisting of 24 members, including judges, lawyers, and legislators.

The Council makes yearly reports about the court system and ways that it could be improved. It is also responsible for gathering judicial statistics on courts throughout the state.

The Council is mandated by law to continuously “study the organization, rules, procedures and practice, work accomplished, results, and uniformity of the discretionary powers of the state courts and methods for their improvement.”

Another function of the Council is to consider public advice on the court system “concerning remedies for faults in the administration of justice.” It may pursue investigations on referral from the Supreme Court or Legislature, and it can hold public hearings and subpoena witnesses.

Meeting Schedule

The Council’s governing statute requires it to meet at least once per year, though in recent years it has met three to four times per year. 

The council meets at 205 W. 14th Street in Austin, which is the building shared by the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals.

Members of Council

The Council consists of 24 members: six are citizens appointed by the governor, including at least three but not more than four lawyers, and 16 are ex officio members, meaning that they belong to the Council by virtue of holding another state office.

The ex officio members include judges from all levels of the court system designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; two members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; and the chair of the House Judicial Affairs Committee.

The Council is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals is the vice chair.

Relationship to Office of Court Administration

Unlike many other state commissions, the Texas Judicial Council does not have an executive director or dedicated staff. Nor does it have its own dedicated budget. Instead, it is funded and administered by the Office of Court Administration (OCA).

History of Texas Judicial Council

The Texas Judicial Council was established in 1929 to address inefficiencies and inconsistencies within the state’s judiciary. At that time, Texas courts faced challenges such as backlogged dockets and a lack of standardized procedures, prompting lawmakers to seek reforms. The council was tasked with studying the court system, collecting data, and recommending improvements to enhance judicial efficiency and uniformity.

Initially, the council functioned as an advisory body, focusing on data collection and proposing legislative reforms. Over time, its influence grew, particularly in advocating for judicial education programs and standardizing court procedures. The council also examined the state’s partisan judicial election system, a topic of ongoing debate among lawmakers and the public. 

In the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st, the council expanded its role to address emerging legal and policy issues. It played a part in shaping legislation related to court funding, indigent defense reform, and judicial case management. The council continues to advocate for improvements in areas such as bail reform and digital court accessibility, influencing legislative and policy decisions within the Texas judiciary.