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

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

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

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

5. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Texas Legislature
_____________________ the laws
Makes the laws of the state
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE
DUTIES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
MEMBERS: _____TERM: _______
QUALIFICATIONS:
MEMBERS: _____TERM: _______
QUALIFICATIONS:
LEADER
LEADER

6. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Texas Legislature
Makes (creates)
the laws of the state
The Texas State Legislature is BICAMERAL… meaning it is divided into two HOUSES: the SENATE and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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: 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
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
LEADER
Speaker of the House
LEADER
Lieutenant Governor

7. Texas Judicial System Texas Supreme Court Court of Criminal Appeals
Interprets, or explains the meaning of the laws
(Decides what the laws of the state mean and how they should be enforced)
Appeals Courts
Losers ask to have their trial reviewed
No jury – decided by a group of judges
No new evidence or witnesses
Texas Supreme Court
Highest Civil Court
CIVIL CASES
Court of Criminal Appeals
Highest Criminal Court
CRIMINAL CASES
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
Level 3
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
Level 2
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

8. Justice of the Peace Municipal Courts
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