Comal County Criminal Court

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

I need help for my Comal 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 Comal 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 Comal 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.

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.

Comal County Criminal Court

Comal County Criminal Court

Who is the prosecutor for Comal County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Comal County criminal cases will either be a representative of Comal 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 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.

Jury Deliberations in Comal County

In Comal County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.

Comal County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Comal County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Comal County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Comal County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.

Comal County Required Court Appearances

In Comal 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.

Burden of Proof

The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Comal County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.

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.

Comal County Criminal Court hearings

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

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.

Comal County Criminal Court Locations

  • Comal County 22nd District Court

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #304, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1250 Fax: 830-608-2006

  • Comal County 207th District Court

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #304, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1250 Fax: 830-608-2006

  • Comal County 274th District Court

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #304, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1250 Fax: 830-608-2006

  • Comal County 433rd District Court

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #304, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1250 Fax: 830-608-2006

  • Comal County Constitutional Court

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #101, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1230 Fax: 830-620-3410

  • Comal County Clerk’s Office

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #101, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1230 Fax: 830-620-3410

  • Comal County Court at Law No. 1

    Address: 199 Main Plaza, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1180 Fax: 830-620-3424

  • Comal County Court at Law No. 2

    Address: 150 N Seguin Ave, #301, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-1180 Fax: 830-620-0465

  • Comal County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

    Address: 145 David Jonas Dr, New Braunfels TX 78132
    Phone: 830-608-2025 Fax: 830-608-2085

  • Comal County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2

    Address: 2350 Bulverde Rd, PO Box 250, Bulverde TX 78163
    Phone: 830-438-2266 Fax: 830-438-3127

  • Comal County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

    Address: 3079 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-626-4888 Fax: 830-620-3465

  • Comal County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

    Address: Physical: 160 Oak Dr, Sattler TX 78132
    Phone: 830-964-3886 Fax: 830-964-4798

  • Bulverde Municipal Court

    Address: 30360 Cougar Bend, Bulverde TX 78163
    Phone: 830-980-8832

  • Garden Ridge Municipal Court

    Address: 9400 Municipal Pkwy, Garden Ridge TX 78266
    Phone: 210-651-6632 Fax: 210-651-9638

  • New Braunfels Municipal Court

    Address: 1486 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels TX 78130
    Phone: 830-221-4180 Fax: 830-608-2148

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