Brazoria County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Brazoria County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Brazoria County.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
Brazoria County Criminal Court
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Brazoria County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Brazoria County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Brazoria County. The Brazoria 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.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Brazoria County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Brazoria County will take place at the Brazoria County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Brazoria County Criminal Court Locations.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
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 Brazoria 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.
What happens in Brazoria County at an arraignment?
In Brazoria County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
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.
I need help for my Brazoria County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Brazoria County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Brazoria County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Required Court Appearances in Brazoria County
Any required court appearances in Brazoria County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Brazoria County Criminal Court Locations
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Brazoria County 23rd District Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #500, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1316 Fax: 979-864-1770 -
Brazoria County 149th District Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #500, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1316 Fax: 979-864-1770 -
Brazoria County 239th District Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #500, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1316 Fax: 979-864-1770 -
Brazoria County 300th District Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #500, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1316 Fax: 979-864-1770 -
Brazoria County 412th District Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #500, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1316 Fax: 979-864-1770 -
Brazoria County Constitutional Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #200, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1355 -
Brazoria County Court at Law No. 1 & Probate Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #200, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1355 -
Brazoria County Court at Law No. 3 & Probate Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #200, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1355 -
Brazoria County Court at Law No. 4 & Probate Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #200, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1355 -
Brazoria County Court at Law No. 2 & Probate Court
Address: 111 E Locust St, #200, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1355 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 1
Address: 309 Plantation Dr, Lake Jackson TX 77566
Phone: 979-297-4650 Fax: 979-297-4599 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 2
Address: 210 W First St, Suite A, Freeport TX 77541
Phone: 979-233-4700 Fax: 979-233-8008 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 – Place 1
Address: 7313 Corporate Dr, Manvel TX 77578
Phone: 281-756-2410 Fax: 281-489-4435 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 – Place 2
Address: 111 E Locust St, #110, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-864-1402 Fax: 979-864-1637 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 – Place 1
Address: 260 George St, #100, Alvin TX 77511
Phone: 281-331-3524 Fax: 281-756-0830 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 – Place 2
Address: 2436 S Grand Blvd, #110, Pearland TX 77581
Phone: 281-485-1528 Fax: 281-485-8720 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 – Place 1
Address: 101 E Alabama St, Brazoria TX 77422
Phone: 979-798-7777 Fax: 979-798-9270 -
Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 – Place 2
Address: 111 N Tenth St, West Columbia TX 77486
Phone: 979-345-2671 Fax: 979-345-3013 -
Alvin Municipal Court
Address: 216 W Sealy St, Alvin TX 77511
Phone: 281-388-4250 -
Angleton Municipal Court
Address: 120 S Chenango St, Angleton TX 77515
Phone: 979-849-2471 -
Brazoria Municipal Court
Address: 201 S Main St, Brazoria TX 77422
Phone: 979-798-2165 -
Brookside Village Municipal Court
Address: 6243 Brookside Rd, Brookside Village TX 77581
Phone: 281-485-3048 -
Clute Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 997, Clute TX 77531
Phone: 979-265-5421 Fax: 979-265-6384 -
Danbury Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 258, Danbury TX 77534
Phone: 979-922-1551 -
Freeport Municipal Court
Address: 200 W Second St, Freeport TX 77541
Phone: 979-239-3913 Fax: 979-373-0113 -
Holiday Lakes Municipal Court
Address: 195 N Texas Ave, Holiday Lakes TX 77515
Phone: 979-849-1136 Fax: 979-849-5225 -
Jones Creek Municipal Court
Address: 7207 Stephen F. Austin Rd, Jones Creek TX 77541
Phone: 979-233-1826 -
Lake Jackson Municipal Court
Address: 5 Oak Dr, Lake Jackson TX 77566
Phone: 979-297-1031 Fax: 979-292-0130 -
Liverpool Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 281-581-2342, x11
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Manvel Municipal Court
Address: 20025 Morris Ave, PO Box 190, Manvel TX 77578
Phone: 281-489-1229 -
Oyster Creek Municipal Court
Address: 3210 FM 523, Oyster Creek TX 77541
Phone: 979-233-0243 -
Pearland Municipal Court
Address: 2555 Cullen Pkwy, PO Box 84609, Pearland TX 77584
Phone: 281-997-5900 -
Richwood Municipal Court
Address: 215 Halbert St, Richwood TX 77531
Phone: 979-265-8157 Fax: 979-265-7345 -
Surfside Beach Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 979-233-1531, x105
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Sweeny Municipal Court
Address: 102 W Ashley Wilson Rd, PO Box 248, Sweeny TX 77480
Phone: 979-548-5189 Fax: 979-548-7745 -
West Columbia Municipal Court
Address: 512 E Brazos Ave, PO Box 487, West Columbia TX 77486
Phone: 979-345-4832 Fax: 979-345-3178