Which Texas court has the highest authority over criminal matters?

• A. Texas Supreme Court
• B. Texas Court Of Criminal Appeals
• C. Texas Court Of Appeals
• D. District Courts

Answer: (B)

In Texas, the highest authority for criminal matters is the Court of Criminal Appeals. This court is the court of last resort specifically for criminal cases, reviewing decisions from the intermediate Courts of Appeal and handling automatic or discretionary review in serious criminal matters, including death penalty cases. The Texas Supreme Court handles civil matters (and some non-criminal issues), while the Courts of Appeal are intermediate appellate courts and District Courts are trial courts. So for criminal appeals and final authority in criminal issues, the Court of Criminal Appeals is the top court.