Crane County Criminal Court

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

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Crane 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.

If guilty, who sentences the defendant?

If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.

Crane County Criminal Court

Crane County Criminal Court

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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Crane 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 happens in Crane County at an arraignment?

In Crane 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.

Who can help me in Crane County?

For general information about your case the Crane 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.

Crane County Criminal Court hearings

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

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.

Right to an attorney

The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Crane County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Required Court Appearances in Crane County

Any required court appearances in Crane 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.

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.

Prosecutor in Crane County

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

Crane County Criminal Court Locations

  • Crane County 109th District Court

    Address: PO Box 578, Crane, TX 79731
    Phone: 432-558-3581 Fax: 432-558-1148

  • Crane County Constitutional Court

    Address: PO Box 578, Crane TX 79731
    Phone: 432-558-3581 Fax: 432-558-1148

  • Crane County Justice of the Peace

    Address: PO Box 148, Crane TX 79731
    Phone: 432-558-1108 Fax: 432-558-1185

  • Crane Municipal Court

    Address: 115 W 6th St, PO Box 56, Crane TX 79731
    Phone: 432-558-7747 Fax: 432-558-3593

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