San Augustine County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in San Augustine County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in San Augustine County.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
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 San Augustine 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.
San Augustine County Criminal Court
San Augustine County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in San Augustine County will take place at the San Augustine County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the San Augustine County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in San Augustine 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.
Mandatory Appearances in San Augustine County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in San Augustine 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 San Augustine County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for San Augustine County criminal cases will either be a representative of San Augustine 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.
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.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
What happens in San Augustine County at an arraignment?
In San Augustine County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Who can help me in San Augustine County?
For general information about your case the San Augustine 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.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
San Augustine County Criminal Court Locations
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San Augustine County 1st District Court
Address: 100 W Columbia, #202, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-2231 Fax: 936-275-2389 -
San Augustine County 273rd District Court
Address: 100 W Columbia, #202, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-2231 Fax: 936-275-2389 -
San Augustine County Constitutional Court
Address: 223 N Harrison, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-2452 Fax: 936-275-2263 -
San Augustine County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 221 N Harrison, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-3552 Fax: 936-275-2424 -
San Augustine County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 221 N Harrison, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-3552 Fax: 936-275-2424 -
San Augustine County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 221 N Harrison, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-3552 Fax: 936-275-2424 -
San Augustine County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 221 N Harrison, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-3552 Fax: 936-275-2424 -
San Augustine Municipal Court
Address: 301 S Harrison St, San Augustine TX 75972
Phone: 936-275-2121