HISTORY OF THE APPELLATE COURTS

Texas achieved its independence from Mexico in 1836. In 1876, some 40 years later,   In 1876, the the Constitution of the state was ratified to provide for two appellate courts, the Supreme Court, having jurisdiction of civil cases only, and the Court of Appeals, having jurisdiction of all criminal cases and of certain civil cases.  However, the Constitution  was amended in 1891 to create the Courts of Civil Appeals as intermediate appellate courts; and the name of the former "Court of Appeals" was changed to the Court of Criminal Appeals.  So Texas has separate appeals systems for Criminal cases and Civil Cases. Civil cases go from the trial courts, up to the Court of Civil Appeals, and then up to the Supreme Court.

The number of intermediate "Courts of Civil Appeals" has grown to 14.  Each has jurisdiction over appeals  from both district and county courts located in a group of Counties.  The Court hears both civil and criminal appeals.

Here are links to the Appeals Courts, which in turn generally have links to courts in their circuit.

Supreme Court
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is not linked from here.
1st Court of Appeals
2nd Court of Appeals
3rd Court of Appeals
4th Court of Appeals
5th Court of Appeals
6th Court of Appeals
7th Court of Appeals
8th Court of Appeals
9th Court of Appeals
10th Court of Appeals
11th Court of Appeals
12th Court of Appeals
13th Court of Appeals
14th Court of Appeals

HOW APPEALS ARE DECIDED

A case is not decided by the Court of Civil Appeals until the record of the proceedings in the trial court and the briefs are filed by both parties to the appeal.  There is a 50 page limit to the briefs.  The case is then "submitted" for decision. Each case is set for submission before three justices on the Court. In certain circumstances, cases may be heard by a panel consisting of all of the justices (en banc).

The Supreme Court does not hear cases unless it decides to allow the appeal.  A 15 page petition asking the court to hear the appeal is the first step.  Oral arguments are permitted only if the court decides to allow them.