United States Texas The TEXAS Constitution says that our STATE government will also have Three Branches (Have had 7 Constitutions) EXECUTIVE BRANCH President LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Congress JUDICIAL BRANCH Courts EXECUTIVE BRANCH Governor LEGISLATIVE BRANCH State Legislature JUDICIAL BRANCH Courts The U.S. Constitution says that our FEDERAL government will have Three Branches (Have had only one Constitution)

EXECUTIVE BRANCH President – Vice President – Other offices LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Congress LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TX Legislature JUDICIAL BRANCH Courts SENATE U.S. Senators 2 senators per state HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S. Representatives # based on state population EXECUTIVE BRANCH Governor – Lt. Governor – Other offices SENATE State Senators HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES State Representatives JUDICIAL BRANCH Courts SUPREME COURT Justices TEXAS SUPREME COURT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS Appointed by the president for life Justices are elected for a term of six years CIVIL CASES CRIMINAL CASES

Executive Branch _____________________ the laws sees that the laws are carried out Office Duties: Who is the current Chief Executive of Texas? Qualifications: Executive Powers: Legislative Powers:

Office Serves as chief tax collector Makes expenditures according to state regulations Provides budget estimates to legislature Office Acts as the state’s lawyer Represents TX or TX agency in court Advises the legislature Explains regulations to agencies and local governments When the governor is out of state he takes over (acts as chief executive) Carries out duties requested by the governor Serves as president of the TX Senate Lieutenant Governor Duties: Executive Branch EXECUTES the laws (sees that the laws are carried out) Office Duties: Who is the current Chief Executive of Texas? Qualifications: Executive Powers: Legislative Powers: Commissioner of the General Land Office Manages the land and mineral rights owned by Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Enforces agricultural laws Provides educational and research services to farmers, ranchers, and consumers Promotes Texas products Protects the environment Attorney General Comptroller of Public Accounts Greg Abbot Governor Makes appointments to boards and commissions Signs or vetoes bills Calls special sessions of the legislature Must be at least 30 years old Must be a U.S.citizen Must be a resident of TX for at least 5 years before election Elected to 4- year terms No term limits Removes officials when necessary

SENATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DUTIES: MEMBERS: _____TERM: _______ QUALIFICATIONS: LEADER _____________________ the laws Makes the laws of the state MEMBERS: _____TERM: _______ QUALIFICATIONS: LEADER

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE DUTIES: 1. Make the laws that govern TX 2. Discusses how the state money should be spent 3. Approved or reject governor’s appointments 4. Power of oversight over the Executive Branch 5. Listen to citizen concerns 6.Decide what to do about prison overcrowding, taxes, education, etc. MEMBERS: 150 TERM: 2 years QUALIFICATIONS: 21 years old must be a citizen of TX for two years prior to election must be a resident of the district they are elected from for one year prior to election LEADER Speaker of the House Makes (creates) the laws of the state LEADER Lieutenant Governor The Texas State Legislature is BICAMERAL… meaning it is divided into two HOUSES: the SENATE and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS: 31 TERM: 4 years QUALIFICATIONS: 26 years old must be a citizen of TX for five years prior to election must be a resident of the district they are elected from for one year prior to election

Court of Criminal Appeals _____________________ _______________________ _____________________ Appeals Courts  __________________________________ ___________ County Courts  _______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________ Justice of the Peace  _________________________________________________ ________________ _________________________________________________ ________________ Municipal Courts  _____________________________________________________ _________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________  _____________________________________________________ _________________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Texas Judicial System _____________________________ the meaning of _____________________ (Decides what the laws of the state mean and how they should be enforced) District Courts  _______________________________________ _____________ ________________________________________ ____________  _______________________________________ _____________ ________________________________________ ____________ Texas Supreme Court _________________

Court of Criminal Appeals Highest Criminal Court CRIMINAL CASES Appeals Courts  Losers ask to have their trial reviewed  No jury – decided by a group of judges  No new evidence or witnesses County Courts  TX Constitution requires that all 254 counties have at least one county court  The legislature has the power to create additional county courts in fast-growing cities like Austin  Civil cases where the disputed amount is between $500 and $5,000  Criminal misdemeanor cases where the fine is greater than $200 Justice of the Peace  Small towns and rural areas without Municipal Courts  Try civil and minor criminal cases  Justices perform many roles: Marriages, issuing search warrants, setting bail, and determining the cause of death Municipal Courts  Found in larger cities  Deal with violations of city ordinances, such as fire safety infractions, traffic offenses, and zoning violations  Misdemeanor cases in which the maximum fine is less than $2000 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Texas Judicial System Interprets, or explains the meaning of the laws (Decides what the laws of the state mean and how they should be enforced) District Courts  Considered the most important Trial Court in Texas Judicial System  Criminal felony cases (murder, arson, etc.)  Civil cases involving juveniles or disputes of over $5,000 Texas Supreme Court Highest Civil Court CIVIL CASES

Justice of the Peace  Small towns and rural areas without Municipal Courts  Try civil and minor criminal cases  Justices perform many roles: Marriages, issuing search warrants, setting bail, and determining the cause of death Municipal Courts  Found in larger cities  Deal with violations of city ordinances, such as fire safety infractions, traffic offenses, and zoning violations  Misdemeanor cases in which the maximum fine is less than $2000