In Texas, which court has original jurisdiction over felonies?

• A. Court of Appeals
• B. Supreme Court
• C. Juvenile Court
• D. District court

Answer: (D)

Felonies are tried in the court that has the power to hear them at the outset. In Texas, that place is the district court. District courts are the general trial courts, equipped to handle serious criminal cases like felonies and large civil matters, and they conduct the actual trials with juries or judges.

Juvenile Court deals with cases involving minors, not adult felonies. Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate body that reviews decisions after trials have concluded; it does not hear new felony trials. The highest courts—one for civil matters and one for criminal matters—resolve important questions on appeal rather than conduct initial trials. Because felony cases begin and are decided first in district court, that is the correct venue for original jurisdiction.