FOCL Practice Test

Which court is responsible for hearing felony cases in Texas?

1. Justices of the Peace court

2. District court

3. City court

4. State court

The correct answer is: District court

The district court is the correct answer as it has the jurisdiction to hear felony cases in Texas. This type of court is designed to handle more serious criminal offenses, typically involving higher stakes and longer potential sentences than misdemeanors, which are managed by lower-level courts. In Texas, district courts also deal with significant civil cases and family law matters, further highlighting their role as a key part of the state's judicial system. The other courts mentioned have different scopes: Justices of the Peace courts generally handle minor civil and misdemeanor criminal cases; City courts often address municipal ordinances and traffic violations; and State courts can be a general reference to various court levels, but they do not specifically designate a court that handles felony cases like district courts do. Thus, the designation of the district court as the venue for felony cases is clearly defined within the Texas judicial framework.