Galveston County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Galveston County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Galveston County.
Galveston County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Galveston County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Sentencing in Galveston County
In Galveston 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.
Galveston County Criminal Court
Galveston County Required Court Appearances
In Galveston 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.
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.
I need help for my Galveston 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 Galveston 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 Galveston 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.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
Who is the prosecutor for Galveston County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Galveston County criminal cases will either be a representative of Galveston 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 Galveston 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.
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.
What happens in Galveston County at an arraignment?
In Galveston 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.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Galveston County
In Galveston 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.
Galveston County Criminal Court Locations
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Galveston County 10th District Court
Address: 600 59th St, #4305, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2230 Fax: 409-770-5266 -
Galveston County 56th District Court
Address: 600 59th St, #3302, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2226 Fax: 409-770-5264 -
Galveston County 122nd District Court
Address: 600 59th St, #4304, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2275 Fax: 409-770-6265 -
Galveston County 212th District Court
Address: 600 59th St, #4204, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2266 Fax: 409-765-2610 -
Galveston County 306th District Court
Address: 600 59th St, #3304, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2255 Fax: 409-765-2936 -
Galveston County 405th District Court
Address: 600 59th St, #4204, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-765-2688 Fax: 409-765-2689 -
Galveston County District Clerk Office
Address: 600 59th St, #4001, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2424 Fax: 409-766-2292 -
Galveston County District Clerk Office
Address: 174 Calder Rd, League City TX 77573
Phone: 281-316-8729 Fax: 281-316-8740 -
Galveston County Constitutional Court
Address: 600 59th St, #2001, PO Box 17253, Galveston TX 77552
Phone: 409-766-2200 Fax: 409-765-3160 -
Galveston County Clerk Office
Address: 600 59th St, #2001, PO Box 17253, Galveston TX 77552
Phone: 409-766-2200 Fax: 409-765-3220 -
Galveston County Clerk Office
Address: 174 Calder Rd, #149, League City TX 77573
Phone: 281-316-8732 Fax: 409-765-3220 -
Galveston County Court at Law No. 1
Address: 600 59th St, #2304, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2233 Fax: 409-765-2945 -
Galveston County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 600 59th St, #2204, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-766-2405 Fax: 409-795-3034 -
Galveston County Court at Law No. 3
Address: 600 59th St, #2205, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-621-7920 Fax: 409-765-3154 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 1922 Sealy St, Galveston TX 77550
Phone: 409-766-2250 Fax: 409-770-5249 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 1922 Sealy St, Galveston TX 77550
Phone: 409-770-5455 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 203 Vauthier Rd, La Marque TX 77568
Phone: 409-765-2930 Fax: 409-765-3288 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 11730 Highway 6, PO Drawer B, Santa Fe TX 77510
Phone: 409-770-5484 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
Address: 2516 Texas Ave, Texas City TX 77590
Phone: 409-770-5820 (Criminal) 409-770-5818 (Civil) -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6
Address: Phone: 409-765-2980, x1 Fax: 409-766-2534
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Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7
Address: 4500 10th St, PO Drawer 8327, Bacliff TX 77518
Phone: 281-316-8800 Fax: 409-765-3295 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8 – Place 1
Address: 174 Calder Rd, #111, League City TX 77573
Phone: 281-316-8716 Fax: 281-316-8704 -
Galveston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8 – Place 2
Address: 147 Calder Rd, #111, League City TX 77573
Phone: 281-338-6492 -
Bayou Vista Municipal Court
Address: 2929 Highway 6, Bayou Vista TX 77563
Phone: 409-935-8348 Fax: 409-935-1205 -
Clear Lake Shores Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 281-334-0697, x503
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Dickinson Municipal Court
Address: 4403 Highway 3, Dickinson TX 77539
Phone: 281-337-6297 -
Friendswood Municipal Court
Address: 1600 Whitaker Dr, Friendswood TX 77546
Phone: 281-996-3252 -
Galveston Municipal Court
Address: 601 54th St, #300, Galveston TX 77551
Phone: 409-765-3740 -
Hitchcock Municipal Court
Address: 6815 Second St, Hitchcock TX 77563
Phone: 409-986-9702 Fax: 409-986-6260 -
Jamaica Beach Municipal Court
Address: Physical: 16628 San Luis Pass Rd, Jamaica Beach TX 77554
Phone: 409-737-1142 Fax: 409-737-5211 -
Kemah Municipal Court
Address: 1401 Highway 146, Kemah TX 77565
Phone: 281-334-5910 Fax: 281-334-5407 -
La Marque Municipal Court
Address: 1111 Bayou Rd, La Marque TX 77568
Phone: 409-938-9245 Fax: 409-935-7564 -
League City Municipal Court
Address: 200 W Walker St, League City TX 77573
Phone: 281-554-1060 Fax: 281-554-1072 -
Santa Fe Municipal Court
Address: 425 Main St, PO Box 950, Santa Fe TX 77510
Phone: 409-925-3255 -
Texas City Municipal Court
Address: 1004 Ninth Ave N, Texas City TX 77590
Phone: 409-643-5800 -
Tiki Island Municipal Court
Address: 802 Tiki Dr, Tiki Island TX 77554
Phone: 409-935-1427 Fax: 409-935-4670