Texas Legal Resources
Comprehensive guide to legal services, courts, bar associations, law schools, and legal aid throughout Texas
10
ABA-Accredited Law Schools
450+
State District Courts
State Bar & Attorney Resources
The State Bar of Texas is the organization for all licensed attorneys in Texas and provides comprehensive resources for legal professionals and the public seeking legal information.
Bar Associations
Attorney General
- Texas Attorney General - The chief law officer of Texas, providing legal representation to the state and consumer protection services
Attorneys by Practice Area
Courts & Judicial System
Texas has a comprehensive three-level court system consisting of trial courts, appellate courts, and two courts of last resort (Supreme Court for civil cases and Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases).
Supreme Courts (Courts of Last Resort)
Texas uniquely has two separate supreme courts:
- Texas Supreme Court - Hears civil appeals and has final authority over civil cases
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - Hears criminal cases and has final authority over all criminal matters, including death penalty cases
Intermediate Appellate Courts
Texas is divided into 14 appellate districts, each with a regional Court of Appeals:
- Appellate courts hear both civil and criminal appeals from district courts, except death penalty cases which go directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals
- Courts of Appeals are divided into 14 judicial districts throughout the state
Trial Courts (District & County Level)
- State District Courts (450+) - Trial courts of general jurisdiction handling serious civil cases (over $200) and criminal cases with felony penalties or potential prison sentences
- County Courts (500+) - Handle civil cases from $200 to $100,000 and criminal cases with lesser penalties
- Justice of the Peace Courts (800+) - Limited jurisdiction courts handling small claims and misdemeanors
- Municipal Courts (900+) - City courts handling traffic violations and local ordinance violations
Federal Courts in Texas
Legal Aid Organizations
Texas has several major legal aid providers offering free or low-cost legal services to low-income individuals and families:
Service Area: 68 counties across Texas
Services: Free legal counsel, representation, and educational services to individuals with low income
Annual Impact: Serves over 23,000 Texans per year
Visit TRLA
Focus Areas: Healthcare access, safety, stability, housing, government benefits, employment
Services: Legal education, advocacy, and representation - all free
Eligibility: Income-eligible Texans
Visit TLSC
Service Area: 114 counties in North and West Texas
Services: Free civil legal services to low-income individuals and families
Focus: Equal access to justice
Visit Organization
Service Area: Multiple counties across East, West, and Southwest Texas
Offices: Belton, Beaumont, Bryan, Clute, Conroe, Galveston, Houston, and more
Services: Free civil legal services to low-income residents
Visit LSLA
Additional Legal Resources
Law Schools
Texas is home to 10 ABA-accredited law schools offering Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees and various graduate legal programs:
Public Law Schools
- University of Texas School of Law (Austin) - Founded 1883, oldest and top-ranked public law school in Texas
- Texas A&M University School of Law - Fully accredited, comprehensive legal education program
- Texas Tech University School of Law (Lubbock) - Established 1967, serving the South Plains region
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Houston) - Founded 1947, part of Texas Southern University
- University of Houston Law Center - Major law school in Houston metropolitan area
- UNT Dallas College of Law - Opened 2014, granted full ABA accreditation in 2023
Private Law Schools
- Baylor University School of Law (Waco) - Private, ABA-approved, oldest law school in Texas
- SMU Dedman School of Law (Dallas) - Private law school in Dallas metropolitan area
- South Texas College of Law Houston - ABA-accredited private law school
- St. Mary's University School of Law (San Antonio) - Private law school in South Texas
Law School Admission Information
- Median LSAT Score: 156 across Texas law schools
- Median GPA: 3.39
- Top-Ranked Schools: 4 Texas law schools ranked in top 50 nationally
- Law Schools Directory - Comprehensive guide to law schools and legal education
- Online Degrees - Explore online legal education options
Paralegal Associations
Professional organizations serving paralegals and legal assistants throughout Texas:
Legal Documents & Forms
Resources for creating, obtaining, and understanding legal documents:
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Legal Resources
The State Bar of Texas maintains a comprehensive attorney directory at texasbar.com where you can search for licensed attorneys by name, location, and practice area. You can also contact local bar associations for referrals, check online legal directories, or ask for recommendations from trusted contacts.
Texas has several major legal aid organizations providing free services to low-income individuals, including Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC), Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Lone Star Legal Aid. TexasLawHelp.org also offers free legal information and forms.
Texas has a three-level system: trial courts (district, county, justice of peace, and municipal), intermediate appellate courts (14 Courts of Appeals by district), and two courts of last resort (Texas Supreme Court for civil cases and Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases). This unique bifurcated system ensures proper review of both civil and criminal matters.
Texas has 10 ABA-accredited law schools, including 6 public schools (UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Thurgood Marshall, University of Houston, and UNT Dallas) and 4 private schools (Baylor, SMU, South Texas College of Law Houston, and St. Mary's). Four of these schools are ranked in the top 50 nationally.
The State Bar of Texas is the mandatory professional organization for all licensed attorneys in Texas. It regulates attorneys, maintains admission standards, enforces professional ethics, and provides resources for legal professionals and the public. The organization serves over 50,000 licensed attorneys throughout the state.
Paralegal requirements in Texas typically include completing a paralegal certification program at a college or university, then gaining practical experience working under attorney supervision. Texas recognizes several paralegal associations that provide professional development and networking opportunities. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) offers national certification as a Certified Paralegal (CP).
Texas court records are maintained by individual county courts and district courts. Each court has its own records management system. The Texas Judicial Branch website (txcourts.gov) provides information about court locations and procedures. Many counties offer online access to case records through their court websites.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains criminal records and fingerprints for the state. You can request criminal background checks and records through their Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). County sheriff offices and district courts also maintain specific local criminal records.
The Texas Attorney General's office can be reached at texasattorneygeneral.gov. The AG's office handles statewide legal matters, consumer protection, and represents the state in litigation. You can file consumer complaints, request legal opinions, and access public legal information through their website.
Texas maintains a public sex offender registry as required by law. The registry contains information on registered sex offenders and is maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety. You can search the registry online to identify registered offenders in your area. Additional resources can be found at our
Sex Offender Registries guide.
Legal News & Additional Resources