Llano County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Llano County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Llano County.
Who can help me in Llano County?
For general information about your case the Llano 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.
Llano County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Llano County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in Llano County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Llano County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Who is the prosecutor for Llano County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Llano County criminal cases will either be a representative of Llano 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.
Sentencing in Llano County
In Llano County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Llano 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 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.
Jury Deliberations in Llano County
In Llano 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.
Arraignments in Llano County
During an arraignment in Llano 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 Llano 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 Llano County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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 Llano County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Llano County Criminal Court Locations
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Llano County 33rd District Court
Address: 832 Ford St, Llano TX 78643
Phone: 325-247-5036 Fax: 325-248-0492 -
Llano County 424th District Court
Address: 832 Ford St, Llano TX 78643
Phone: 325-247-5036 Fax: 325-248-0492 -
Llano County Constitutional Court
Address: 107 W Sandstone St, PO Box 40, Llano TX 78643
Phone: 325-247-4455 Fax: 325-247-2406 -
Llano County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 101 Ferguson Rd PO Box 8759, Horseshoe Bay TX 78657
Phone: 830-598-2296 Fax: 830-598-5231 -
Llano County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 5, Buchanan Dam TX 78609
Phone: 512-793-2332 Fax: 512-793-6215 -
Llano County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 108 Chamberlain St, PO Box 1631, Kingsland TX 78639
Phone: 325-388-6215 Fax: 325-388-0011 -
Llano County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 2001-B N State Hwy 16, Llano TX 78643
Phone: 325-247-3178 Fax: 325-247-3745 -
Horseshoe Bay Municipal Court
Address: 1 Community Drive, PO Box 7765, Horseshoe Bay TX 78657
Phone: 830-598-9972 Fax: 830-598-2977 -
Llano Municipal Court
Address: 301 W Main St, Llano TX 78643
Phone: 325-247-1928 Fax: 325-247-4196 -
Sunrise Beach Village Municipal Court
Address: 124 Sunrise Drive, Sunrise Beach TX 78643
Phone: 325-388-6438