Texas Law & Statutes | Summaries

Waiting for Trial Oil Painting

Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

County Jails in Texas

Texas has over 230 county jails. Learn about the role and operations of these facilities.

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

Father and Daughter fishing oil painting

Family Law in Texas Texas Law and Statutes

The Texas Family Code

Overview of the Texas Family Code, which governs adoption, divorce, marriage, and other family matters.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

Texas Courtroom Oil Painting

Criminal Justice System Judiciary Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

District Courts in Texas

District Courts handle both high-stakes civil cases and serious criminal matters. This article provides a comprehensive overview of how they operate.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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Criminal Justice System Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

District Attorneys in Texas

Each county in Texas has an elected chief prosecutor who handles felony criminal cases in local courts.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

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

Landmark Laws & Court Opinions Legal History The Reconstruction Era (1865–1874)

Texas v. White and the Question of Secession

In 1869, the Supreme Court declared the United States to be a “perpetual union” from which no state could unilaterally secede.

Texapedia StaffJuly 15, 2025

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Texas Law and Statutes

Texas Administrative Code

Regulations governing many aspects of public life, from environmental protection to healthcare services and insurance.

Texapedia StaffNovember 17, 2022

Probate Court Oil Painting

Family Law in Texas Judiciary

Probate Courts

Texas probate courts handle inheritance matters, guardianship cases, and involuntary mental health commitments. They adjudicate disputes when someone died without a will, and enforce the provisions of valid wills.

Texapedia StaffNovember 16, 2022

Civil Law & Procedure State Agencies

Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings

This little-known state agency employs administrative law judges who resolve disputes on regulatory, licensing, and business tax matters.

Texapedia StaffNovember 17, 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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