Eastland County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Eastland County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Eastland County.
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.
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.
Eastland 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.
Eastland County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Eastland County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Eastland 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 Eastland 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.
I need help for my Eastland 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 Eastland 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 Eastland 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 Eastland County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Eastland County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Eastland County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Mandatory Appearances in Eastland County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Eastland 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Eastland County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Eastland County criminal cases will either be a representative of Eastland 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Eastland 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.
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.
Eastland County Criminal Court Locations
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Eastland County 91st District Court
Address: 100 W Main St, #206, Eastland TX 76448
Phone: 254-629-2664 Fax: 254-629-6070 -
Eastland County Constitutional Court
Address: 100 W Main St, #102, PO Box 110, Eastland TX 76448
Phone: 254-629-1583 Fax: 254-629-8125 -
Eastland County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 100 W Main St, Basement-02, Eastland TX 76448
Phone: 254-629-1088 Fax: 254-629-6084 -
Eastland County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 100 W Main St, Basement-02, Eastland TX 76448
Phone: 254-629-1088 Fax: 254-629-6084 -
Eastland County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 100 W Main St, Basement-02, Eastland TX 76448
Phone: 254-629-1088 Fax: 254-629-6084 -
Cisco Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 110, Cisco TX 76437
Phone: 254-442-1762 -
Eastland Municipal Court
Address: 113 E Commerce St, PO Box 749, Eastland TX 76448
Phone: 254-629-8227 -
Gorman Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 236, Gorman TX 76454
Phone: 254-734-2317 -
Ranger Municipal Court
Address: 400 W Main St, Ranger TX 76470
Phone: 254-647-3318 -
Rising Star Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 35, Rising Star TX 76471
Phone: 254-643-4261