Texas Law & Statutes | Summaries

City Council Meeting C

Integrity & Efficiency Texas Law and Statutes

Texas Open Meetings Act

Citizens have a right to attend meetings of school boards, city councils, and other government bodies, both state and local.

Texapedia StaffNovember 14, 2022

Confederate Battle Flag

Constitutions of Texas Legal History The Civil War

The Confederate Constitution of Texas (1861)

Drafted in a wartime climate, the 1861 constitution enshrined slavery as permanent and untouchable law.

Texapedia StaffMay 22, 2025

Constitutions of Texas Legal History The Reconstruction Era (1865–1874)

The 1869 Texas Constitution and Reconstruction Rule

This article explores the origins of the 1869 constitution, its key provisions, and the administration of Governor Edmund J. Davis under its authority.

Texapedia StaffMay 4, 2025

1974 Convention scaled

20th Century History Legal History Texas History

The 1974 Texas Constitutional Convention That Failed

The 1974 convention was a large-scale structural reform effort after the Sharpstown Scandal, coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of Texas' constitution.

Texapedia StaffMay 4, 2025

Texas Trial Painting

Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Trials in Texas Criminal Courts

Learn the steps involved in a criminal trial in Texas, key terms, and how cases are decided.

Texapedia StaffApril 29, 2025

Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure Texas Law and Statutes

Charging and Indictments in Texas

How criminal charges are filed, reviewed, and challenged in Texas before a case ever reaches trial.

Texapedia StaffApril 26, 2025

Texas constitution 1876 800x500 1

Legal History Structure & Constitution

How to Amend the Texas Constitution

Understanding the two-step process for changing the state constitution

Texapedia StaffApril 17, 2025

Civil Law & Procedure

The Role of Civil Juries in Texas

Civil juries don’t determine guilt or innocence. Instead, they resolve disputes over contracts, property, or personal injury. Here's how they function.

Texapedia StaffJuly 14, 2025

Mic Empty Room

Civil Law & Procedure Texas Law and Statutes

Texas Citizens Participation Act

History, provisions, and real-world application of the TCPA, which allows early dismissal of lawsuits filed to silence free speech.

Texapedia StaffJune 3, 2025

Legal History Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Texas Bill of Rights: An Overview

Summary of the Texas Bill of Rights and key differences between the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Texas Bill of Rights.

Texapedia StaffJanuary 24, 2025

Visit the Texapedia gift shop! All proceeds benefit this encyclopedia. Shop

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.

© Texapedia 2025 | contact@texapedia.info