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About the Supreme Court of Texas

Composed of nine justices, all elected to staggered six-year terms, the Texas Supreme Court (Tex.) has final authority in all
civil and juvenile delinquency cases in the state. It is one of two courts of last resort in Texas, the other one being the Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA)

Most cases decided by the Supreme Court come as appeals from decisions by one of the fourteen intermediate courts of
appeals in Texas. Appeals from Central Texas cases generally come from the Austin-based Third Court of Appeals, for
example. Courts of Appeals hear cases from their respective districts. Only the First and Fourteenth Court of Appeals (sitting in
Houston) have overlapping geographic jurisdiction. Unlike the Texas Supreme Court, all state courts of appeals hear both civil
and criminal cases.

Very few cases from the state courts of appeals will be heard and decided by the Supreme Court on the merits. Like its
counterpart at the federal level the Texas Supreme Court exercises discretionary review. It usually takes only cases presenting
the most significant Texas legal issues in need of clarification or decision.  

Each year the Court handles more than 3,000 appeals (on petitions for review from the courts of appeals and other legal
matters, such as petitions for mandamus relief. The Supreme Court also supervises the operations of courts throughout
Texas, regulates and oversees the professional conduct of lawyers, and writes and promulgates rules and procedures for civil
and juvenile cases.