The only cases that the Court must hear are those involving the sentencing of capital punishment or the denial of bail.

[4] The Governor of Texas, subject to Senate confirmation, may appoint a judge to serve out the remainder of any unexpired term until the next general election.

Of the 131 inmates executed under Governor George W. Bush, 43 were represented by an attorney who at some point has been disbarred, suspended or otherwise sanctioned.

Attorneys at this stage can argue, for instance, that prosecutors improperly concealed evidence favorable to the defendant.

The state agreed to pay for court-appointed attorneys to handle the final appeals for Death Row inmates.

While assigning attorneys in about 300 cases, the Court of Criminal Appeals tapped some with questionable credentials or little experience.