Government 2302.

Lesson 27, Justice, Texas Style: The Judiciary.

Activity 3, Texas Judges

Introduction:  More than 3,200 judges staff Texas courts. Their lengths of term, methods of selection, and qualifications vary depending of the type of court within the Texas judicial system. This activity highlights those differences.

Instructions:  Read each of the seven descriptions and then select the correct answer for each of the following statements.

Description 1: Municipal courts.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 2 to 4 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment .

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Election or appointment.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: Set by city government.

Description 2: Justice of the Peace courts.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 4 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment.

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Partisan election.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: Qualified voter.

Description 3:  Constitutional county courts.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 4 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment.

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Partisan election.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: “Well informed in the law”.

Description 4: District courts.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 4 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment.

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Partisan election.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: Licensed to practice law.

Description 5: Courts of Appeals.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 6 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment.

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Partisan election.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: Licensed to practice law.

Description 6: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 6 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment.

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Partisan election.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: Licensed to practice law.

Description 7: Supreme Court of Texas.

A. Length of Term:

· 2 to 4 years.

· 4 years.

· 6 years.

The correct answer is: 6 years.

B. Method of Selection:

· Appointment.

· Election or appointment.

· Partisan election.

The correct answer is: Partisan election.

C. Qualifications:

· Licensed to practice law.

· Qualified voter.

· Set by city government.

· “Well informed in the law”.

The correct answer is: Licensed to practice law.

End of Activity.