Bee County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Bee County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Bee County.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Bee County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Bee County will take place at the Bee County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Bee County Criminal Court Locations.
Mandatory Appearances in Bee County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Bee County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Bee County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Arraignments in Bee County
During an arraignment in Bee County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Bee County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Bee County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Bee County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Bee County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Bee County. The Bee County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Who can help me in Bee County?
For general information about your case the Bee County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Bee County Criminal Court Locations
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Bee County 36th District Court
Address: 105 W Corpus Christi St, PO Box 666, Beeville TX 78104
Phone: 361-362-3242 Fax: 361-362-3282 -
Bee County 156th District Court
Address: 105 W Corpus Christi St, PO Box 666, Beeville TX 78104
Phone: 361-362-3242 Fax: 361-362-3282 -
Bee County 343rd District Court
Address: 105 W Corpus Christi St, PO Box 666, Beeville TX 78104
Phone: 361-362-3242 Fax: 361-362-3282 -
Bee County Constitutional Court
Address: 105 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville TX 78102
Phone: 361-362-3245 Fax: 361-362-3247 -
Bee County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 105 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville TX 78102
Phone: 361-362-3233 Fax: 361-362-2840 -
Bee County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 38, Tuleta TX 78162
Phone: 361-375-2343 -
Bee County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 105 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville TX 78102
Phone: 361-362-3235 Fax: 361-362-3236 -
Bee County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 301 E Sullivan, PO Box 69, Skidmore TX 78389
Phone: 361-287-3436 -
Beeville Municipal Court
Address: 405 N St. Mary’s St, Beeville TX 78102
Phone: 361-358-0260