Starr County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Starr County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Starr County.
Prosecutor in Starr County
In Starr County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Starr County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Texas. For the most part, the prosecutor in Starr County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
What happens in Starr County at an arraignment?
In Starr 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.
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.
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.
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.
Who can help me in Starr County?
For general information about your case the Starr 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.
Starr County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Starr County will take place at the Starr County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Starr County Criminal Court Locations.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Starr 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.
Required Court Appearances in Starr County
Any required court appearances in Starr 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.
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 Starr County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Starr County Criminal Court Locations
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Starr County 229th District Court
Address: 401 N Britton Ave, #304, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-8482 Fax: 956-487-8493 -
Starr County 381st District Court
Address: 401 N Britton Ave, #304, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-8482 Fax: 956-487-8493 -
Starr County Constitutional Court
Address: 401 N Britton Ave, #201, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-8032 Fax: 956-487-8674 -
Starr County Court at Law
Address: 401 N Britton Ave, #201, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-8032 Fax: 956-487-8674 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 428 W Hwy 83, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-849-4558 Fax: 956-317-1173 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 1705 N Athens St, Roma TX 78584
Phone: 956-849-1253 Fax: 956-849-9873 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: Physical: 503 Gabriela St, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-7049 Fax: 956-487-8522 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 401 N Britton Ave, #403, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-8244 Fax: 956-487-8582 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
Address: 1264 FM 2686, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-481-3210 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6
Address: Physical: 6165 FM 1430, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-7180 Fax: 956-488-9242 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7
Address: 78 Salineno Rd, Roma TX 78584
Phone: 956-848-5717 Fax: 956-848-5713 -
Starr County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8
Address: 5095 Old Escobares Hwy 83, Roma TX 78584
Phone: 956-849-7450 Fax: 956-847-1091 -
Escobares Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 907, Roma TX 78584
Phone: 956-847-1200 -
La Grulla Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 197, La Grulla TX 78548
Phone: 956-487-8522 -
Rio Grande City Municipal Court
Address: 404 E Main St, Rio Grande City TX 78582
Phone: 956-487-8889 Fax: 956-716-6007 -
Roma Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 947, Roma TX 78584
Phone: 956-849-1915