Tyler County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Tyler County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Tyler County.
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.
Where will Tyler County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Tyler County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Tyler County.
Mandatory Appearances in Tyler County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Tyler 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.
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 Tyler 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.
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.
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.
I need help for my Tyler County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Tyler County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Tyler County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Tyler County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Tyler County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Tyler County. The Tyler 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.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
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.
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 Tyler County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Tyler County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Tyler County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Tyler 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 Tyler 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.
Tyler County Criminal Court Locations
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Tyler County 1A District Court
Address: 100 W Bluff, #203, Woodville TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-2162 Fax: 409-283-6305 -
Tyler County 88th District Court
Address: 100 W Bluff, #203, Woodville TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-2162 Fax: 409-283-6305 -
Tyler County Constitutional Court
Address: 116 S Charlton, Woodville TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-2281 Fax: 409-283-8049 -
Tyler County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 702 N Magnolia, #101, Woodville TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-3631 Fax: 409-283-5043 -
Tyler County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 1, Woodville TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-8211 Fax: 409-283-5043 -
Tyler County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: PO Box 98, Colmesneil TX 75938
Phone: 409-837-2447 Fax: 409-283-5043 -
Tyler County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: PO Box 576, Fred TX 77660
Phone: 409-429-9500 Fax: 409-283-5043 -
Woodville Municipal Court
Address: 400 W Bluff, Woodville TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-3255