Uvalde County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Uvalde County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Uvalde County.
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.
Uvalde County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Uvalde County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Uvalde County. The Uvalde 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.
Uvalde County Criminal 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 Uvalde 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.
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.
Uvalde County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Uvalde County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Required Court Appearances in Uvalde County
Any required court appearances in Uvalde 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.
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.
Who can help me in Uvalde County?
For general information about your case the Uvalde 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.
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.
What happens in Uvalde County at an arraignment?
In Uvalde 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 Deliberations in Uvalde County
In Uvalde 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.
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.
Uvalde County Criminal Court Locations
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Uvalde County 38th District Court
Address: 100 N Getty St, Uvalde TX 78801
Phone: 830-278-3918 Fax: 830-591-1344 -
Uvalde County Constitutional Court
Address: 100 N Getty St, PO Box 284, Uvalde TX 78802
Phone: 830-278-6614 Fax: 830-278-8692 -
Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 100 N Getty St, Uvalde TX 78801
Phone: 830-278-3921 -
Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 177, Sabinal TX 78881
Phone: 830-988-2462 Fax: 830-988-3182 -
Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: PO Box 416, Utopia TX 78884
Phone: 830-966-3445 -
Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 100 N Getty St, Uvalde TX 78801
Phone: 830-278-3904 -
Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6
Address: 339 King Fisher Lane, Box 4, Uvalde TX 78801
Phone: 830-278-8123 -
Sabinal Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 715, Sabinal TX 78881
Phone: 830-988-2630 -
Uvalde Municipal Court
Address: 100 E Main St, PO Box 799, Uvalde TX 78802
Phone: 830-278-3315 Fax: 830-591-2089