Coryell County Criminal Court

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

Sentencing in Coryell County

In Coryell 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.

Required Court Appearances in Coryell County

Any required court appearances in Coryell 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.

Coryell County Criminal Court

Coryell County Criminal Court

Where will Coryell County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Coryell County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Coryell County.

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.

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.

Jury Deliberations in Coryell County

In Coryell 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.

Where can I get help for my Coryell 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 Coryell 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.

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.

Coryell County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Coryell County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Coryell 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 Coryell 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.

Who is the prosecutor for Coryell County?

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

Coryell County Criminal Court Locations

  • Coryell County 52nd District Court

    Address: Phone: 254-865-5911, x2241 Fax: 254-865-5064

  • Coryell County Constitutional Court

    Address: Phone: 254-865-5911, x2235 Fax: 254-865-8631

  • Coryell County Court at Law

    Address: Phone: 254-865-5911, x2235 Fax: 254-865-8631

  • Coryell County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

    Address: 201 S Second St, Copperas Cove TX 76522
    Phone: 254-547-5993 Fax: 254-547-6007

  • Coryell County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2

    Address: 201 S Second St, Copperas Cove TX 76522
    Phone: 254-547-6517 Fax: 254-547-6007

  • Coryell County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

    Address: 508 E Leon St, Gatesville TX 76528
    Phone: 254-865-2912 Fax: 254-865-2978

  • Coryell County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

    Address: 508 E Leon St, Gatesville TX 76528
    Phone: 254-865-5913 Fax: 254-865-2978

  • Copperas Cove Municipal Court

    Address: 602 S Main St, Copperas Cove TX 76522
    Phone: 254-547-5030

  • Evant Municipal Court

    Address: 598 E Highway 84, PO Box 10, Evant TX 76525
    Phone: 254-471-3135

  • Gatesville Municipal Court

    Address: 110 N 8th St, Gatesville TX 76528
    Phone: 254-865-2227

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