The two basic types of courts are trial courts and appellate courts. A trial court has one judge. In the Texas court system, those trial courts are municipal courts, justice of the peace courts, constitutional county courts, statutory county courts, and district courts.
Appellate courts hear appeals in cases which have been previously tried in the trial courts.
No new evidence is presented and no witnesses are heard on the appeal of a case. In addition to its adjudicative functions, the Supreme Court of Texas has many administrative duties. It is responsible for the efficient operation of the Texas judicial system. The court makes the rules of practice and procedure governing trials and appeals in civil and juvenile cases in the State, the rules of administration for the Texas judicial system, and the rules for the operation of judicial agencies.