Lamar County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Lamar County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Lamar County.
Arraignments in Lamar County
During an arraignment in Lamar County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Lamar County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Lamar County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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.
Lamar County Criminal Court
Lamar County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Lamar County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Who is the prosecutor for Lamar County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Lamar County criminal cases will either be a representative of Lamar 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 Lamar 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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Lamar County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
Lamar County Required Court Appearances
In Lamar 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.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
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.
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 Lamar County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
I need help for my Lamar 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 Lamar 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 Lamar 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.
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.
Lamar County Criminal Court Locations
-
Lamar County 6th District Court
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2427 Fax: 903-785-4905 -
Lamar County 62nd District Court
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2427 Fax: 903-785-4905 -
Lamar County Constitutional Court
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2420 Fax: 903-782-1100 -
Lamar County Court at Law
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2420 Fax: 903-782-1100 -
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2441 -
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2441 -
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2439 -
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2441 -
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 1
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2440 Fax: 903-737-2490 -
Lamar County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 – Place 2
Address: 119 N Main St, Paris TX 75460
Phone: 903-737-2441 Fax: 903-737-2490 -
Paris Municipal Court
Address: 2910 Clarksville St, PO Box 9037, Paris TX 75461
Phone: 903-737-4107 Fax: 903-783-4711 -
Reno Municipal Court
Address: 160 Blackburn St, Reno TX 75462
Phone: 903-785-6599 Fax: 903-785-0453 -
Roxton Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 176, Roxton TX 75477
Phone: 903-346-3535