TEXAS MUNICIPAL COURT LEVEL 1
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
What is a home-rule city - ANSWER-A city that has at least 5,000 in population and
has adopted a home-rule charter
The idea that government should operate under a set of written laws, rather than the
rule of a single person is - ANSWER-Rule of Law
City ordinance violations may be filed in either the municipal court or the justice of
the peace court. - ANSWER-FALSE
The municipal court has concurrent jurisdiction with justice of the peace courts over
fine-only state law offenses - ANSWER-TRUE
Since municipal courts operate at the city level of government, they do not have to
follow the statutes and rules passed at the state and federal levels - ANSWER-
FALSE
City managers may establish traffic revenue quotas as part of evaluating the court's
performance - ANSWER-FALSE
Municipal Courts do not have jurisdiction over civil cases - ANSWER-FALSE
In order for a city to pass an ordinance to create a Municipal Court of Record they
must have a population of at least 10,000 people. - ANSWER-FALSE
The Attorney General's Office is the Chief Legal Officer in Texas - ANSWER-TRUE
The State Comptroller of Public Accounts is prohibited by law from assisting
Municipal Courts with questions relating to state court costs - ANSWER-FALSE
What is the role of the prosecutor in municipal court
a. To see that justice is done
b. To bring criminal charges before the court for trial
c. To represent the State
d. All of the above - ANSWER-all of the above
Which of the following is a ministerial duty
a. Stamping the judge's signature on documents because the judge is part-time
b. Granting extensions of time to pay
c. Resetting a case when a defendant calls and asks for a continuance
d. Researching community service projects - ANSWER-Researching community
service projects
Which oath does a clerk have authority to administer
,a. The one for an affiant swearing to a complaint
b. The one for a defendant swearing to a driving safety course affidavit
c. The one for a judge taking the oath of office
d. All of the above - ANSWER-all of the above
If a victim is not present when an emergency protection order is issued, what must
the clerk do - ANSWER-Provide the victim with a copy
Judges do not have the authority to perform which of the following acts
a. Administer oaths
b. Perform a marriage ceremony
c. Hold a defendant in contempt
d. Dismiss a case because the defendant is related to the mayor - ANSWER-Dismiss
a case because the defendant is related to the mayor
Case Law provides for a magistrate's authority
a. Statewide
b. Countywide
c. Citywide
d. None of the above - ANSWER-Countywide
Depending on whether a city is a general law or home rule city and whether the court
is a court of record clerks may be - ANSWER-Elected, Appointed, Hired
Legal advice may be provided to a defendant by - ANSWER-A licensed attorney
Maintaining order in the courtroom is the responsibility of - ANSWER-The judge
Any person providing security for a Municipal Court is required to hold a - ANSWER-
Court Security certification
Appellate Courts - ANSWER-A court with jurisdiction to hear appeals and review a
trial court's procedure. These courts review the actions and decisions of the lower
courts on questions of law or allegations.
Supreme Court - ANSWER-Composed of one chief justice and eight justices, who
are elected in partisan elections on a statewide basis for six-year terms of office.
Two highest appellate courts in Texas - ANSWER-Texas Supreme Court
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Civil Case - ANSWER-usually deals with private rights of individuals, groups, or
businesses.
Criminal Case - ANSWER-legal action brought by the State of Texas against a
person charges with committing a crime.
Highest appellate court with jurisdiction over juvenile cases - ANSWER-Texas
Supreme Court
, What is Trial De Novo - ANSWER-New trial is presented in the county court as if
there had been no previous trial.
What authority creates and grants authority to municipal courts? - ANSWER-The
Texas Legislature
What are the 2 categories of municipal courts that dictate how proceedings are
conducted - ANSWER-Court of record
Court of Non-record
What kind of cases must be initiated in municipal courts and not any other court? -
ANSWER-city ordinance violations
What is common law? - ANSWER-a. The principles, customs, and rules developed
in England and early American history that provide the foundation for our judicial
system
In which branch of the government is the police department? - ANSWER-Executive
What is the Bill of Rights? - ANSWER-The first 10 amendments to the U.S.
Constitution
What is a civil case? - ANSWER-A case that deals with the private rights of
individuals
What is jurisdiction - ANSWER-Legal authority and power over certain types of
cases and certain geographical locations
Who writes the Rules of Judicial Education for municipal judges - ANSWER-The
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
What kind of courts are municipal courts - ANSWER-statutory courts
What is municipal court subject matter jurisdiction - ANSWER-Only fine-only
offenses that may also include any sanction that does not include confinement
The role of the defense attorney is to - ANSWER-Represent their client zealously
within the bounds of the law
Many of the clerk's duties are specifically provided for by statute - ANSWER-FALSE
Court clerks may be elected, appointed, or hired. - ANSWER-TRUE
Oaths of office and anti-bribery statements must be filed every time a clerk is re-
appointed - ANSWER-TRUE
Standing orders are written orders, signed by the judge, directing court staff on how
to perform a specific procedure - ANSWER-TRUE
The judge plays an adversarial role in court - ANSWER-FALSE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
What is a home-rule city - ANSWER-A city that has at least 5,000 in population and
has adopted a home-rule charter
The idea that government should operate under a set of written laws, rather than the
rule of a single person is - ANSWER-Rule of Law
City ordinance violations may be filed in either the municipal court or the justice of
the peace court. - ANSWER-FALSE
The municipal court has concurrent jurisdiction with justice of the peace courts over
fine-only state law offenses - ANSWER-TRUE
Since municipal courts operate at the city level of government, they do not have to
follow the statutes and rules passed at the state and federal levels - ANSWER-
FALSE
City managers may establish traffic revenue quotas as part of evaluating the court's
performance - ANSWER-FALSE
Municipal Courts do not have jurisdiction over civil cases - ANSWER-FALSE
In order for a city to pass an ordinance to create a Municipal Court of Record they
must have a population of at least 10,000 people. - ANSWER-FALSE
The Attorney General's Office is the Chief Legal Officer in Texas - ANSWER-TRUE
The State Comptroller of Public Accounts is prohibited by law from assisting
Municipal Courts with questions relating to state court costs - ANSWER-FALSE
What is the role of the prosecutor in municipal court
a. To see that justice is done
b. To bring criminal charges before the court for trial
c. To represent the State
d. All of the above - ANSWER-all of the above
Which of the following is a ministerial duty
a. Stamping the judge's signature on documents because the judge is part-time
b. Granting extensions of time to pay
c. Resetting a case when a defendant calls and asks for a continuance
d. Researching community service projects - ANSWER-Researching community
service projects
Which oath does a clerk have authority to administer
,a. The one for an affiant swearing to a complaint
b. The one for a defendant swearing to a driving safety course affidavit
c. The one for a judge taking the oath of office
d. All of the above - ANSWER-all of the above
If a victim is not present when an emergency protection order is issued, what must
the clerk do - ANSWER-Provide the victim with a copy
Judges do not have the authority to perform which of the following acts
a. Administer oaths
b. Perform a marriage ceremony
c. Hold a defendant in contempt
d. Dismiss a case because the defendant is related to the mayor - ANSWER-Dismiss
a case because the defendant is related to the mayor
Case Law provides for a magistrate's authority
a. Statewide
b. Countywide
c. Citywide
d. None of the above - ANSWER-Countywide
Depending on whether a city is a general law or home rule city and whether the court
is a court of record clerks may be - ANSWER-Elected, Appointed, Hired
Legal advice may be provided to a defendant by - ANSWER-A licensed attorney
Maintaining order in the courtroom is the responsibility of - ANSWER-The judge
Any person providing security for a Municipal Court is required to hold a - ANSWER-
Court Security certification
Appellate Courts - ANSWER-A court with jurisdiction to hear appeals and review a
trial court's procedure. These courts review the actions and decisions of the lower
courts on questions of law or allegations.
Supreme Court - ANSWER-Composed of one chief justice and eight justices, who
are elected in partisan elections on a statewide basis for six-year terms of office.
Two highest appellate courts in Texas - ANSWER-Texas Supreme Court
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Civil Case - ANSWER-usually deals with private rights of individuals, groups, or
businesses.
Criminal Case - ANSWER-legal action brought by the State of Texas against a
person charges with committing a crime.
Highest appellate court with jurisdiction over juvenile cases - ANSWER-Texas
Supreme Court
, What is Trial De Novo - ANSWER-New trial is presented in the county court as if
there had been no previous trial.
What authority creates and grants authority to municipal courts? - ANSWER-The
Texas Legislature
What are the 2 categories of municipal courts that dictate how proceedings are
conducted - ANSWER-Court of record
Court of Non-record
What kind of cases must be initiated in municipal courts and not any other court? -
ANSWER-city ordinance violations
What is common law? - ANSWER-a. The principles, customs, and rules developed
in England and early American history that provide the foundation for our judicial
system
In which branch of the government is the police department? - ANSWER-Executive
What is the Bill of Rights? - ANSWER-The first 10 amendments to the U.S.
Constitution
What is a civil case? - ANSWER-A case that deals with the private rights of
individuals
What is jurisdiction - ANSWER-Legal authority and power over certain types of
cases and certain geographical locations
Who writes the Rules of Judicial Education for municipal judges - ANSWER-The
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
What kind of courts are municipal courts - ANSWER-statutory courts
What is municipal court subject matter jurisdiction - ANSWER-Only fine-only
offenses that may also include any sanction that does not include confinement
The role of the defense attorney is to - ANSWER-Represent their client zealously
within the bounds of the law
Many of the clerk's duties are specifically provided for by statute - ANSWER-FALSE
Court clerks may be elected, appointed, or hired. - ANSWER-TRUE
Oaths of office and anti-bribery statements must be filed every time a clerk is re-
appointed - ANSWER-TRUE
Standing orders are written orders, signed by the judge, directing court staff on how
to perform a specific procedure - ANSWER-TRUE
The judge plays an adversarial role in court - ANSWER-FALSE
