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The constitutional county courts generally hear the probate cases filed in the county.
They have original jurisdiction over all Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal
cases, which are the more serious minor offenses. These courts usually have appellate
jurisdiction in cases appealed from justice of the peace and municipal courts, except
in counties where county courts at law have been established. Unless the appeal
is one from a designated municipal court of record (trial proceedings are recorded
by a court reporter), the appeal takes the form of a trial de novo (a completely
new trial).
IIn addition to performing judicial functions, the county judge serves as the administrative
head of the county government. In the more populated counties, the administrative
duties occupy most of the time of the county judge, and the Legislature has created
county courts at law and statutory probate courts to relieve the county judge of
most, and in some cases all, of the judicial duties usually performed by that office.
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