Differences Between Texas And Federal Judges

Federal and State Judges hear a variety of cases and have multiple levels of courts in which is ends at a high court for overall decisions. Each state in the U.S. creates their own judicial system. They determine how judges will selected and qualifications they feel is necessary to be a judge in that state. I am from Texas and our philosophy is no different. There are many differences between Texas and federal judges Texas has nine different courts and the qualifications for judges to hold those seats vary depending on the level of court. The United States Constitution does not specifically give qualification requirements to become a federal judge (FAQs: Federal Judges., n.d.). Members of Congress and the Department of Justice who recommend

Article III of the constitution allows federal judges to hold their position for life if they serve “during good behavior” (FAQs: Federal Judges., n.d.). Texas qualifications and terms are different. The Texas Supreme Courts, Court of Criminal Courts, and Courts of Appeals are elected for a six-year term while the lower courts are four years (About Texas Courts., n.d.). The qualifications for these three courts differ from the lower courts in Texas as well. To hold a position within the top three courts in Texas you must be a U.S. and Texas citizen between the ages of 35 to 74, practicing lawyer, or ten years combined lawyer and judge of court of record (About Texas Courts., n.d.). To hold a position as a judge in Texas Districts Courts you must be U.S. and Texas citizen between the ages of 25 to 74 and a resident of the district for a minimum of two years (About Texas Courts., n.d.). You must be a practicing lawyer or judge for a minimum of four years (About Texas Courts., n.d.). District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. County Courts are divided into three sub groups; Statutory County Courts, Statutory Probate Courts, and

Government, Constitution, and other federal laws (Court Role and Structure., n.d.). There are multiple different courts within the federal court system. There are 94 Federal District Court’s with the U.S. that serve as the primary trial courts within the federal system (Court Role and Structure., n.d.). There are other courts that hear different issues such as the Bankruptcy Courts and Article I Courts (Court Role and Structure., n.d.). Article I courts include U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and U.S. Tax Court (Court Role and Structure., n.d.). There are two appeals courts, Bankruptcy Appellate Panels and Courts of Appeals within the federal system before you reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Texas State Courts have multiple trial courts within the court system. Texas District courts have original jurisdiction in all “felony cases, divorce cases, cases involving title to land, election contest cases, civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more, and any matters in which jurisdiction is not placed in another trial court” (About Texas Courts., n.d.). The County Courts have “original jurisdiction over all criminal cases involving Class A and Class B misdemeanors” (About Texas Courts., n.d.). Class A and B misdemeanors are more serious