Crockett County Criminal Court

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

Crockett County Required Court Appearances

In Crockett 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.

Prosecutor in Crockett County

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

Crockett County Criminal Court

Crockett County Criminal Court

Sentencing in Crockett County

In Crockett 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.

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.

Crockett County Criminal Court hearings

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

What happens in Crockett County at an arraignment?

In Crockett 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 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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Crockett 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.

I need help for my Crockett 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 Crockett 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 Crockett 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.

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 Crockett County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

What is Jury Deliberation?

After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.

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.

Crockett County Criminal Court Locations

  • Crockett County 112th District Court

    Address: PO Drawer C, Ozona TX 76943
    Phone: 325-392-2022 Fax: 325-392-3742

  • Crockett County Constitutional Court

    Address: PO Drawer C, Ozona TX 76943
    Phone: 325-392-2022 Fax: 325-392-3742

  • Crockett County Justice of the Peace

    Address: PO Box 2067, Ozona TX 76943
    Phone: 325-392-2253 Fax: 325-392-2365

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