Kaufman County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Kaufman County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Kaufman County.
Jury Deliberations in Kaufman County
In Kaufman 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.
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.
Kaufman County Criminal Court
Who can help me in Kaufman County?
For general information about your case the Kaufman 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.
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.
Kaufman County Required Court Appearances
In Kaufman 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.
Kaufman County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Kaufman County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
What happens in Kaufman County at an arraignment?
In Kaufman 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.
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.
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 Kaufman 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.
The Right to Trial by Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.
Kaufman County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Kaufman County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Kaufman County. The Kaufman 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.
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.
Kaufman County Criminal Court Locations
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Kaufman County 86th District Court
Address: 100 W Mulberry St, Kaufman TX 75142
Phone: 972-932-4331 x1274 -
Kaufman County 422nd District Court
Address: 100 W Mulberry St, Kaufman TX 75142
Phone: 972-932-4331 x1274 -
Kaufman County Constitutional Court
Address: Phone: 972-932-4331, x1110 Fax: 972-962-8018
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Kaufman County Court at Law
Address: Phone: 972-932-4331, x1110 Fax: 972-962-8018
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Kaufman County Court at Law No. 2
Address: Phone: 972-932-4331, x1110 Fax: 972-962-8018
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Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 3001 S Washington St, PO Box 457, Kaufman TX 75142
Phone: 972-932-9747 Fax: 972-962-2653 -
Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 200 E Main St, PO Box 1324, Forney TX 75126
Phone: 972-564-3786 -
Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 408 E College St, Terrell TX 75160
Phone: 972-563-9723 Fax: 972-563-2960 -
Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 103 N Main St, PO Box 191, Kemp TX 75143
Phone: 903-498-8759 Fax: 903-498-2012 -
Combine Municipal Court
Address: 123 Davis Rd, Combine TX 75159
Phone: 972-476-1532 -
Crandall Municipal Court
Address: 114 S Main St, PO Box 268, Crandall TX 75114
Phone: 972-427-4096 Fax: 972-472-8904 -
Forney Municipal Court
Address: 331 S FM 548, PO Box 826, Forney TX 75126
Phone: 972-564-7311 Fax: 972-564-7321 -
Kaufman Municipal Court
Address: 209 S Washington St, Kaufman TX 75142
Phone: 972-932-2216 -
Kemp Municipal Court
Address: 304 S Main St, PO Box 449, Kemp TX 75143
Phone: 903-498-3191 -
Mabank Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 293, Mabank, TX 75147
Phone: 903-887-8500 -
Talty Municipal Court
Address: 9550 Helms Trail, #500, Forney TX 75126
Phone: 972-552-9592 Fax: 972-552-9060 -
Terrell Municipal Court
Address: 201 E Nash St, PO Box 310, Terrell TX 75160
Phone: 972-551-6680