McLennan County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in McLennan County. See below for more information about criminal cases in McLennan County.
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.
McLennan County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in McLennan County, the prosecutor will be a representative of McLennan County. The McLennan 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.
McLennan County Criminal Court
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.
Arraignments in McLennan County
During an arraignment in McLennan 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 McLennan 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 McLennan County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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.
Who can help me in McLennan County?
For general information about your case the McLennan 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.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
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.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in McLennan County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in McLennan 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.
McLennan County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in McLennan County will take place at the McLennan County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the McLennan County Criminal Court Locations.
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 McLennan 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.
McLennan County Criminal Court Locations
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McLennan County 19th District Court
Address: 501 Washington Ave, PO Box 2451, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5045 (Criminal) 254-757-5057 (Civil) -
McLennan County 54th District Court
Address: 501 Washington Ave, PO Box 2451, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5045 (Criminal) 254-757-5057 (Civil) -
McLennan County 74th District Court
Address: 501 Washington Ave, PO Box 2451, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5045 (Criminal) 254-757-5057 (Civil) -
McLennan County 170th District Court
Address: 501 Washington Ave, PO Box 2451, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5045 (Criminal) 254-757-5057 (Civil) -
McLennan County 414th District Court
Address: 501 Washington Ave, PO Box 2451, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5045 (Criminal) 254-757-5057 (Civil) -
McLennan County Constitutional Court
Address: 215 N 5th St, #223-A, PO Box 1727, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5078 Fax: 254-757-5146 -
McLennan County Court at Law No 1
Address: 215 N 5th St, #223-A, PO Box 1727, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5078 Fax: 254-757-5146 -
McLennan County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 215 N 5th St, #223-A, PO Box 1727, Waco TX 76703
Phone: 254-757-5078 Fax: 254-757-5146 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 1
Address: 501 Washington Ave, #104-D, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-757-5040 Fax: 254-714-2899 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 2
Address: 501 Washington Ave, #108, Waco TX 76701
Phone: 254-757-5128 Fax: 254-757-5035 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 410 Texas Ave, PO Box 112, Mart TX 76664
Phone: 254-876-2414 Fax: 254-876-2072 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 201 North Reagan, PO Box 495, West TX 76691
Phone: 254-826-3341 Fax: 254-826-3595 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 13341 China Spring Road, China Spring TX 76633
Phone: 254-836-8313 Fax: 254-836-0468 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
Address: 307 S Madison St, McGregor TX 76657
Phone: 254-840-4225 Fax: 254-840-9748 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7
Address: 929 Elm St, Waco TX 76704
Phone: 254-752-9353 Fax: 254-752-9526 -
McLennan County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8
Address: 1800 Richter Ave, #A, Waco TX 76711
Phone: 254-752-4242 Fax: 254-752-0227 -
Bellmead Municipal Court
Address: 701 Maxfield, Bellmead TX 76705
Phone: 254-412-7550 Fax: 254-412-7559 -
Beverly Hills Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 254-752-2584, x2 Fax: 254-752-0003
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Bruceville-Eddy Municipal Court
Address: 143 Wilcox Dr, #A, Eddy TX 76524
Phone: 254-859-5964 Fax: 254-859-5779 -
Crawford Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 7, Crawford TX 76638
Phone: 254-486-2125 -
Hewitt Municipal Court
Address: 105 Tampico, PO Box 610, Hewitt TX 76643
Phone: 254-666-1208 Fax: 254-666-6014 -
Lacy-Lakeview Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 254-799-2458, x229
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Lorena Municipal Court
Address: 222 N Frontage Road, Lorena TX 76655
Phone: 254-857-4641 Fax: 254-857-4118 -
Mart Municipal Court
Address: 112 N Commerce, PO Box 360, Mart TX 76664
Phone: 254-876-3334 -
McGregor Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 254-840-2806, x4
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Moody Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 68, Moody TX 76557
Phone: 254-853-2314 -
Riesel Municipal Court
Address: 104 N Hwy 6, PO Box 249, Riesel TX 76682
Phone: 254-896-6501 Fax: 254-896-2404 -
Robinson Municipal Court
Address: 111 W Lyndale, Robinson TX 76706
Phone: 254-662-1415 Fax: 254-662-1035 -
Waco Municipal Court
Address: 201 W Waco Dr, PO Box 2570, Waco TX 76702
Phone: 254-750-5900 Fax: 254-750-5426 -
West Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 97, West TX 76691-0097
Phone: 254-826-4607 -
Woodway Municipal Court
Address: 920 Estates Dr, Woodway TX 76712
Phone: 254-772-4489 Fax: 254-776-5178