According to the US and TX Constitution, appeals in death penalty cases go to which court?

In death penalty cases, appeals go directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals in Texas. This court is specifically designated to handle criminal cases, including capital cases where the death penalty is a potential sentence. The prominence of the Court of Criminal Appeals in these matters underscores its specialized role in ensuring that the legal process surrounding the most severe criminal penalties is carefully scrutinized.

The procedural aspect of this system is rooted in the Texas Constitution and statutory law, which establishes the Court of Criminal Appeals as the highest Texas court for criminal matters. This focus allows for a consolidation of expertise and resources in cases involving life-and-death decisions, thus promoting the integrity and efficiency of the judicial process in such serious matters.

Other courts, such as the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, do not have jurisdiction over death penalty cases specifically, making the Court of Criminal Appeals the sole appellate court for these cases in Texas. The district court is primarily responsible for trial-level matters, including the initial proceedings of criminal cases, but it does not handle appeals.