Cameron County Criminal Court

Cameron County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Cameron County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Cameron County.

Where can I get help for my Cameron County criminal case?

The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Cameron County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.

The Right to Trial by Jury

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.

Cameron County Criminal Court

Cameron County Criminal Court

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 Cameron 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.

Sentencing in Cameron County

In Cameron County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Cameron County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.

Cameron County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Cameron County will take place at the Cameron County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Cameron County Criminal Court Locations.

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.

Who is the prosecutor for Cameron County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Cameron County criminal cases will either be a representative of Cameron County or a representative from Texas. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.

What happens in Cameron County at an arraignment?

In Cameron 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.

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.

Cameron County Required Court Appearances

In Cameron County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.

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.

Cameron County Criminal Court Locations

  • Cameron County 103rd District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Third Floor, Brownsville TX 78520

  • Cameron County 107th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Third Floor, Brownsville TX 78520

  • Cameron County 138th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Third Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0877

  • Cameron County 197th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Third Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-574-8150

  • Cameron County 357th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, First Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-548-9522

  • Cameron County 404th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Third Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0837

  • Cameron County 444th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Third Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-547-7034

  • Cameron County 445th District Court

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Second Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-547-7070

  • Cameron County Constitutional Court

    Address: 964 E Harrison St, Second Floor, PO Box 2178, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0815

  • Cameron County Clerk’s Office

    Address: 964 E Harrison St, Second Floor, PO Box 2178, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0815

  • Cameron County Court at Law No. 1

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Second Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0855 Fax: 956-548-9542

  • Cameron County Court at Law No. 2

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0856 Fax: 956-504-3678

  • Cameron County Court at Law No. 3

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-574-8136 Fax: 956-574-8140

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace – Jail Magistrate

    Address: 7100 Old Alice Rd, Olmito TX 78575
    Phone: 956-554-6703 Fax: 956-554-6704

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

    Address: 505 Highway 100, Port Isabel TX 78578
    Phone: 956-943-2520 Fax: 956-943-0191

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 – Place 1

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Second Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0857 Fax: 956-548-9573

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 – Place 2

    Address: 974 E Harrison St, Second Floor, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-544-0858 Fax: 956-550-1467

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 – Place 1

    Address: 1390 W Expressway 83, San Benito TX 78586
    Phone: 956-361-4618 Fax: 956-361-4620

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 – Place 2

    Address: 1390 W Expressway 83, San Benito TX 78586
    Phone: 956-361-8257 Fax: 956-361-8242

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

    Address: 105 W Ocean Blvd, Suite C, Los Fresnos TX 78566
    Phone: 956-233-6150 Fax: 956-233-6151

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 1

    Address: 3302 W Wilson Rd, Harlingen TX 78552
    Phone: 956-427-8057 Fax: 956-412-2457

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 2

    Address: 3302 W Wilson Rd, Harlingen TX 78552
    Phone: 956-427-8058 Fax: 956-427-8034

  • Cameron County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 3

    Address: 200 Industrial Way, La Feria TX 78559
    Phone: 956-797-1887 Fax: 956-797-9359

  • Brownsville Municipal Court

    Address: 1034 E Levee St, PO Box 911, Brownsville TX 78520
    Phone: 956-548-7181 Fax: 956-548-7182

  • Combes Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 280, Combes TX 78535
    Phone: 956-425-7131

  • Harlingen Municipal Court

    Address: 1018 Fair Park Blvd, PO Box 3562, Harlingen TX 78550
    Phone: 956-216-5121 Fax: 956-216-5130

  • Indian Lake Municipal Court

    Address: 62 S Azetec Cove Dr, Los Fresnos TX 78566
    Phone: 956-233-4021

  • La Feria Municipal Court

    Address: 115 E Commerical Ave, La Feria TX 78559
    Phone: 956-797-2261

  • Laguna Vista Municipal Court

    Address: 122 Fernandez St, Laguna Vista TX 78578
    Phone: 956-943-1793 Fax: 956-943-311

  • Los Fresnos Municipal Court

    Address: 200 N Brazil St, Los Fresnos TX 78566
    Phone: 956-233-9200 Fax: 956-233-9221

  • Palm Valley Municipal Court

    Address: 1313 Stuart Place Rd, Harlingen TX 78552
    Phone: 956-423-8384

  • Port Isabel Municipal Court

    Address: 110 W Hickman St, Port Isabel TX 78578
    Phone: 956-943-1281

  • Primera Municipal Court

    Address: 22893 Stuart Place Rd, Primera TX 78552
    Phone: 956-423-9654

  • Rancho Viejo Municipal Court

    Address: 3301 Carmen Ave, Rancho Viejo TX 78575
    Phone: 956-350-4093 Fax: 956-350-4156

  • Rio Hondo Municipal Court

    Address: 121 N Arroyo Blvd, PO Box 39, Rio Hondo TX 78583
    Phone: 956-748-2102

  • San Benito Municipal Court

    Address: 485 N Sam Houston Blvd, San Benito TX 78586
    Phone: 956-361-3804 Fax: 956-361-3818

  • Santa Rosa Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 326, Santa Rosa TX 78593
    Phone: 956-636-1064

  • South Padre Island Municipal Court

    Address: 4601 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island TX 78597
    Phone: 956-761-3225 Fax: 956-761-3224

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