Duval County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Duval County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Duval County.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Arraignments in Duval County
During an arraignment in Duval 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 Duval 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 Duval County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Duval County Criminal Court
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Mandatory Appearances in Duval County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Duval County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
Who can help me in Duval County?
For general information about your case the Duval 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.
Duval County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Duval County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Who is the prosecutor for Duval County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Duval County criminal cases will either be a representative of Duval 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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Duval 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Duval 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.
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.
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.
Duval County Criminal Court Locations
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Duval County 229th District Court
Address: PO Box 428, San Diego TX 78384
Phone: 361-279-6241 -
Duval County Constitutional Court
Address: PO Box 248, San Diego TX 78384
Phone: 361-279-6272 -
Duval County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: PO Box 429, San Diego TX 78384
Phone: 361-279-6218 -
Duval County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 1065, San Diego TX 78384
Phone: 361-279-6245 -
Duval County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: PO Box 756, Benavides TX 78341
Phone: 361-256-3982 -
Duval County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: PO Box 841, Freer TX 78357
Phone: 361-394-6011 -
Freer Municipal Court
Address: 304 S Main St, PO Drawer N, Freer TX 78357
Phone: 361-394-6097 Fax: 361-394-6326 -
San Diego Municipal Court
Address: 404 S Mier St, San Diego TX 78384
Phone: 361-279-3341