Limestone County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Limestone County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Limestone County.
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 Limestone County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Jury Deliberations in Limestone County
In Limestone 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.
Limestone County Criminal Court
Where can I get help for my Limestone County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Limestone County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Limestone County
Any required court appearances in Limestone 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.
Limestone County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Limestone County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Limestone County. The Limestone 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.
Limestone County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Limestone County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Limestone 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 Limestone 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.
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.
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.
Limestone County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Limestone County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Limestone 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.
Limestone County Criminal Court Locations
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Limestone County 77th District Court
Address: PO Box 230, Groesbeck TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-3206 Fax: 254-729-2960 -
Limestone County 87th District Court
Address: PO Box 230, Groesbeck TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-3206 Fax: 254-729-2960 -
Limestone County Constitutional Court
Address: 200 W State St, #102, PO Box 350, Groesbeck TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-5504 Fax: 254-729-2951 -
Limestone County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 310 S Dallas St, Groesbeck TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-2933 Fax: 254-729-3151 -
Limestone County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 194, Coolidge TX 76635
Phone: 254-786-4938 Fax: 254-786-4916 -
Limestone County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 200 W State St, #201, Groesbeck TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-3630 Fax: 254-729-3060 -
Limestone County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 205 S McKinney St, Mexia TX 76667
Phone: 254-562-7113 Fax: 254-562-9667 -
Coolidge Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 457, Coolidge TX 76635
Phone: 254-786-4814 -
Groesbeck Municipal Court
Address: 819 W Trinity St, Groesbeck TX 76642
Phone: 254-729-5794 Fax: 254 729-8093 -
Kosse Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 116, Kosse TX 76653
Phone: 254-375-2598 -
Mexia Municipal Court
Address: 211 N Sherman St, Mexia TX 76667
Phone: 254-562-4118