Karnes County Criminal Court

Karnes County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Karnes County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Karnes County.

What happens in Karnes County at an arraignment?

In Karnes 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.

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.

Karnes County Criminal Court

Karnes County Criminal 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.

Plea Agreements

A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Karnes County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.

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.

Karnes County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Karnes County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Karnes County. The Karnes County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.

Where will Karnes County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Karnes County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Karnes County.

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.

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.

Required Court Appearances in Karnes County

Any required court appearances in Karnes County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

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.

I need help for my Karnes 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 Karnes 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 Karnes 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.

Karnes County Criminal Court Locations

  • Karnes County 81st District Court

    Address: 210 W Calvert Ave, #180, Karnes City TX 78118
    Phone: 830-780-2562 Fax: 830-780-3227

  • Karnes County 218th District Court

    Address: 210 W Calvert Ave, #180, Karnes City TX 78118
    Phone: 830-780-2562 Fax: 830-780-3227

  • Karnes County Constitutional Court

    Address: 210 W Calvert Ave, #100, Karnes City TX 78118
    Phone: 830-780-3938 Fax: 830-780-4576

  • Karnes County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

    Address: 222 Tilden St, Kenedy TX 78119
    Phone: 830-583-2102 Fax: 830-583-9229

  • Karnes County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2

    Address: PO Box 328, Falls City TX 78113
    Phone: 830-254-3226 Fax: 830-254-3226

  • Karnes County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

    Address: 201 W Calvert Ave, #130, Karnes City TX 78118
    Phone: 830-780-4373 Fax: 830-780-2262

  • Karnes County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

    Address: 306 N Helena, PO Box 26, Runge TX 78151
    Phone: 830-239-4459 Fax: 830-239-7449

  • Falls City Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 328, Falls City TX 78113
    Phone: 830-254-3226

  • Karnes City Municipal Court

    Address: 314 E Calvert Ave, Karnes City TX 78118
    Phone: 830-780-3097

  • Kenedy Municipal Court

    Address: 222 Tilden St, Kenedy TX 78119
    Phone: 830-583-3641

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