Which statement best distinguishes constitutional courts from courts at law in Texas?

• A. Constitutional courts are established by the Texas Constitution, while courts at law are created by legislative acts.
• B. Constitutional courts handle criminal cases, while courts at law handle civil cases.
• C. Courts at law have more judges than constitutional courts.
• D. Constitutional courts are elected, while courts at law are appointed.

Answer: (A)

In Texas, the key distinction is where the court’s existence and authority come from. Constitutional courts are created by the Texas Constitution, which fixes their existence, jurisdiction, and often how judges are chosen. Courts at law are created and governed by acts of the Legislature, with their organization and powers defined by statute and subject to change by law.

So the best statement is that constitutional courts are established by the Texas Constitution, while courts at law are created by legislative acts. This explains why the constitutional courts (like the statewide appellate bodies) have their status set in the constitution, whereas the other trial-level courts (districts, counties, etc.) arise from and can be reshaped by statutes passed by the Legislature.