Castro County Criminal Court

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

Castro County Criminal Court hearings

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

Castro County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Castro County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Castro County. The Castro 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.

Castro County Criminal Court

Castro County Criminal Court

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.

What happens in Castro County at an arraignment?

In Castro 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.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Required Court Appearances in Castro County

Any required court appearances in Castro 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Castro 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.

What is a Plea Agreement?

A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.

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.

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.

Sentencing in Castro County

In Castro 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.

Who can help me in Castro County?

For general information about your case the Castro 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.

Castro County Criminal Court Locations

  • Castro County 64th District Court

    Address: 100 E Bedford St, #101, Dimmitt TX 79027
    Phone: 806-647-3338 Fax: 806-647-5438

  • Castro County 242nd District Court

    Address: 100 E Bedford St, #101, Dimmitt TX 79027
    Phone: 806-647-3338 Fax: 806-647-5438

  • Castro County Constitutional Court

    Address: 100 E Bedford St, #101, Dimmitt TX 79027
    Phone: 806-647-3338 Fax: 806-647-5438

  • Castro County Justice of the Peace

    Address: 100 E Bedford St, #201, Dimmitt TX 79027
    Phone: 806-647-2328 Fax: 806-647-2189

  • Dimmitt Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 146, Dimmitt TX 79027
    Phone: 806-647-3797

  • Hart Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 329, Hart TX 79043
    Phone: 806-938-2171

  • Nazareth Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 7, Nazareth TX 79063
    Phone: 806-945-2285

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