Hood County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Hood County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Hood County.
What happens in Hood County at an arraignment?
In Hood 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.
Hood County Criminal Court
Prosecutor in Hood County
In Hood County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Hood County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Texas. For the most part, the prosecutor in Hood County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Jury Deliberations in Hood County
In Hood 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.
Mandatory Appearances in Hood County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Hood 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.
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.
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.
Sentencing in Hood County
In Hood 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.
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 Hood County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Hood County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Hood County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Who can help me in Hood County?
For general information about your case the Hood 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.
Hood County Criminal Court Locations
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Hood County 355th District Court
Address: 1200 W Pearl St, Granbury TX 76048
Phone: 817-579-3236 Fax: 817-579-3239 -
Hood County Constitutional Court
Address: 1200 W Pearl St, PO Box 339, Granbury TX 76048
Phone: 817-579-3222 Fax: 817-408-3459 -
Hood County Court at Law
Address: 1200 W Pearl St, PO Box 339, Granbury TX 76048
Phone: 817-579-3222 Fax: 817-408-3459 -
Hood County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 5417 Acton Hwy, #104, Granbury TX 76049
Phone: 817-579-3202 Fax: 817-326-6071 -
Hood County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 100 E Pearl St, #800, Granbury TX 76048
Phone: 817-408-2530 Fax: 817-573-3836 -
Hood County Justice of the Peace Precincts 1 & 2
Address: 1200 W Pearl St, Granbury TX 76048
Phone: 817-579-3290 Fax: 817-579-3345 -
Granbury Municipal Court
Address: 116 W Bridge St, Granbury TX 76048
Phone: 817-573-1114 Fax: 817-573-7678 -
Lipan Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 129, Lipan TX 76462
Phone: 254-646-3345 -
Tolar Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 100, Tolar TX 76476
Phone: 254-835-4390