Lampasas County Criminal Court

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

Lampasas County Required Court Appearances

In Lampasas 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.

I need help for my Lampasas 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 Lampasas 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 Lampasas 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.

Lampasas County Criminal Court

Lampasas County Criminal Court

Lampasas County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Lampasas County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Lampasas County. The Lampasas 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.

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.

Lampasas County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Lampasas County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

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 Lampasas 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 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.

Lampasas County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Lampasas County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Lampasas County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Lampasas County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.

Jury Deliberations in Lampasas County

In Lampasas 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.

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.

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.

Jury by Trial Right

The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.

Lampasas County Criminal Court Locations

  • Lampasas County 27th District Court

    Address: Phone: 512-556-8271, x240 Fax: 512-556-9463

  • Lampasas County Constitutional Court

    Address: Phone: 512-556-8271, x204 Fax: 512-556-8270

  • Lampasas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

    Address: PO Box 412, Lampasas TX 76550
    Phone: 512-564-1845 Fax: 512-564-1696

  • Lampasas County Justice of the Peace Precincts 2 & 3

    Address: PO Box 96, Lometa TX 76853
    Phone: 512-752-3497 Fax: 512-752-8397

  • Lampasas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

    Address: PO Box 66, Kempner TX 76539
    Phone: 512-932-2182 Fax: 512-932-3884

  • Kempner Municipal Court

    Address: 12288 E Hwy 190, PO Box 660, Kempner TX 76539
    Phone: 512-932-2180

  • Lampasas Municipal Court

    Address: Physical: 403 S Main St, Lampasas TX 76550
    Phone: 512-556-4909 Fax: 512-556-4095

  • Lometa Municipal Court

    Address: 100 W San Saba St, PO Box 280, Lometa TX 76853
    Phone: 512-752-3331

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