Chambers County Criminal Court

Chambers County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Chambers County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Chambers County.

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.

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.

Chambers County Criminal Court

Chambers County Criminal Court

Arraignments in Chambers County

During an arraignment in Chambers 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 Chambers 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 Chambers County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Chambers 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.

Who can help me in Chambers County?

For general information about your case the Chambers 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.

Sentencing in Chambers County

In Chambers 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.

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.

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.

Prosecutor in Chambers County

In Chambers County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Chambers County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Texas. For the most part, the prosecutor in Chambers County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

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.

Chambers County Required Court Appearances

In Chambers 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.

Chambers County Criminal Court hearings

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

Chambers County Criminal Court Locations

  • Chambers County 253rd District Court

    Address: 404 Washington Ave, PO Box NN, Anahuac TX 77514
    Phone: 409-267-2432 Fax: 409-267-8209

  • Chambers County 344th District Court

    Address: 404 Washington Ave, PO Box NN, Anahuac TX 77514
    Phone: 409-267-2432 Fax: 409-267-8209

  • Chambers County Constitutional Court

    Address: 404 Washington Ave, PO Box 728, Anahuac TX 77514
    Phone: 409-267-2418 Fax: 409-267-8315

  • Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

    Address: 211 Broadway, PO Box 332, Winnie TX 77665
    Phone: 409-296-8247 Fax: 409-296-8651

  • Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2

    Address: 201 N Court, PO Box 971, Anahuac TX 77514
    Phone: 409-267-8249 Fax: 409-267-3120

  • Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

    Address: 9310 FM 562, PO Box 1407, Anahuac TX 77514
    Phone: 409-252-4212 Fax: 409-252-4479

  • Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

    Address: 10616 Eagle Dr, PO Box 827, Mont Belvieu TX 77580
    Phone: 281-383-3197 Fax: 281-385-2158

  • Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5

    Address: 524 #9 Rd, PO Box 2, Wallisville TX 77597
    Phone: 409-389-8232 Fax: 409-389-2411

  • Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6

    Address: 7711 Highway 146, Baytown TX 77520
    Phone: 281-383-3641 Fax: 281-573-1823

  • Anahuac Municipal Court

    Address: 501 Miller St, PO Box 578, Anahuac TX 77514

  • Mont Belvieu Municipal Court

    Address: 11607 Eagle Dr, PO Box 1048, Mont Belvieu TX 77580
    Phone: 281-576-5018

  • Old River-Winfree Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 1169, Mont Belvieu TX 77580
    Phone: 281-385-1735

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