Victoria County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Victoria County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Victoria 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.
Victoria County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Victoria County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Victoria 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 Victoria 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.
Victoria County Criminal Court
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Victoria County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
Who is the prosecutor for Victoria County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Victoria County criminal cases will either be a representative of Victoria 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.
Victoria County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Victoria County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
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.
Who can help me in Victoria County?
For general information about your case the Victoria 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.
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.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in Victoria County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Victoria 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.
Victoria County Criminal Court Locations
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Victoria County 24th District Court
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #330, PO Box 2238, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-0581 Fax: 361-572-5682 -
Victoria County 135th District Court
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #330, PO Box 2238, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-0581 Fax: 361-572-5682 -
Victoria County 267th District Court
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #330, PO Box 2238, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-0581 Fax: 361-572-5682 -
Victoria County 377th District Court
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #330, PO Box 2238, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-0581 Fax: 361-572-5682 -
Victoria County Constitutional Court
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #103, PO Box 1968, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-1478 Fax: 361-575-6276 -
Victoria County Court at Law No. 1
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #103, PO Box 1968, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-1478 Fax: 361-575-6276 -
Victoria County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 115 N Bridge St, #103, PO Box 1968, Victoria TX 77902
Phone: 361-575-1478 Fax: 361-575-6276 -
Victoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 3506 N Ben Wilson, Suite E, Victoria TX 77901
Phone: 361-573-0836 Fax: 361-573-1835 -
Victoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 6605-C N Navarro St, Victoria TX 77904
Phone: 361-575-0012 Fax: 361-573-5515 -
Victoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 111-A N Glass St, Victoria TX 77901
Phone: 361-575-0246 Fax: 361-575-1202 -
Victoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 2604 E Mockingbird, Suite C, Victoria TX 77904
Phone: 361-573-5073 Fax: 361-572-0441 -
Victoria Municipal Court
Address: 107 W Juan Linn St, Victoria TX 77901
Phone: 361-485-3050 Fax: 361-485-3065