- Voters of the entire state elect judges to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits, but judges must retire at 75 years or older.
- The court has the power to overturn a criminal conviction and is the final authority on criminal matters in the state of Texas.
- The Criminal Court of Appeals can choose whether or not to review most criminal cases. However, the court is required to review cases involving the death penalty or bail denials.
- Court of Criminal Appeals judges earn a salary of $210,000 to $264,600, depending on how long they have served.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 

Texas

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2026 Texas Primary Election

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Criminal Justice

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Court of Criminal Appeals Judge

- Has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters in the district.
- Cases either go to the Court of Appeals or directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals, where their legal reasoning may be reviewed. May hear appeals from county courts when authorized.
- County’s criminal courts administration–which has positions like case managers, magistrate support officers, and bailiffs–reports to each county’s criminal district judge.
- Criminal District Judges are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least eight years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The salary for Criminal District Judges range from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Presides over all felony criminal cases within the elected district.

Upshur

Judicial Efficiency

Corruption

Criminal District Judge

- District attorneys prosecute felony criminal cases on behalf of the state, presenting them to grand juries and working closely with law enforcement during investigations.
- They also represent victims seeking protective orders and assist in removing children from abusive homes as part of their responsibilities.
- They are elected to four-year terms.
- District attorneys in Texas make between $175,000 and $220,500, based on how long they have served in office. 

Acts as the attorney for the state of Texas in felony cases.

Van Zandt

Public Safety

Consumer Protection

District Attorney

- Represents the state and victims of crime in prosecuting felony-level and misdemeanor criminal cases in district courts within the county. Represents the county in civil cases.
- Can be at sole discretion as to whether a case is prosecuted.
- Works with law enforcement officers in criminal case investigations, while preparing arrest and search warrants.
- Represents victims of domestic abuse through obtaining protective orders. Represents children in Child Protective Services cases.
- Provides county officials with written opinions or advice on their official duties.
- Criminal district attorneys are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a county resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that county. They also must be a registered lawyer or judge in the state of Texas.
- The annual salary for criminal district attorneys range from $175,000 to $210,000, set by the county’s Commissioners Court.

Represents the state and victims of cases in district courts.

Victoria

Victim Assistance

Policing

Criminal District Attorney

Walker

Waller

Wichita

- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.

Justice of the Peace

- A County Court-At-Law judge handles misdemeanors, such as assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer. They also handle civil cases where the amount in question does not exceed $200,000. 
- County Court-At-Law judges conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials, as well as accept guilty pleas. 
- They are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for County Court-At-Law Judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles civil and criminal cases from District Courts.

Williamson

County Court-At-Law Judge

- Receives and deposits all county revenues, and records receipts and expenditures while reconciling bank statements.
- Acts as chief liaison between the county and depository banks, disburses funds upon the order of the commissioners court, and might prepare payroll.
- Could be selected as county’s investment officer and submit regular reports on county finances to commissioners court.
- Can also be county’s human resources officer, employee benefits coordinator, risk manager, insurance coordinator, and assist with audit responsibilities.
- County treasurers are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a county resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county treasurer ranges from $23,230 to $161,047, depending on the county.

County’s chief finance officer responsible for safekeeping and investment of funds.

2026 Texas candidates

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

Upshur Criminal District Judge, Republican Primary

How this impacts you

Van Zandt District Attorney, Republican Primary

Victoria Criminal District Attorney, Republican Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Walker District Attorney, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Waller District Attorney, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Wichita District Attorney, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Williamson Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 2, Republican Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Williamson County Court-At-Law Judge, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Williamson County Treasurer, Democratic Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you