Webb County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Webb County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Webb County.
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 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.
Webb County Criminal Court
I need help for my Webb 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 Webb 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 Webb 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.
Webb County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Webb County will take place at the Webb County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Webb 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.
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 Webb 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.
Prosecutor in Webb County
In Webb County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Webb County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Texas. For the most part, the prosecutor in Webb County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the 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.
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.
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.
What happens in Webb County at an arraignment?
In Webb 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.
Webb County Required Court Appearances
In Webb County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Webb County Criminal Court Locations
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Webb County 49th District Court
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #203, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4268 Fax: 956-523-5063 -
Webb County 111th District Court
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #203, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4268 Fax: 956-523-5063 -
Webb County 341st District Court
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #203, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4268 Fax: 956-523-5063 -
Webb County 406th District Court
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #203, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4268 Fax: 956-523-5063 -
Webb County Constitutional Court
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #201, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4266 Fax: 956-523-5035 -
Webb County Court at Law No. 1
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #201, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4266 Fax: 956-523-5035 -
Webb County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #201, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4266 Fax: 956-523-5035 -
Webb County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 1
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #106, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4300 Fax: 956-523-5056 -
Webb County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 2
Address: 1110 Victoria St, #103, Laredo TX 78040
Phone: 956-523-4303 Fax: 956-523-5057 -
Webb County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Address: 901 S Milmo, Laredo TX 78043
Phone: 956-721-2502 Fax: 956-721-2542 -
Webb County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 2
Address: 901 S Milmo, 2nd Floor, Laredo TX 78043
Phone: 956-791-6263 Fax: 956-791-6462 -
Webb County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: PO Box 55, Oilton TX 78371
Phone: 361-747-5481 Fax: 361-747-5486 -
Webb County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 8501 San Dario Ave, Laredo TX 78045
Phone: 956-721-2510 Fax: 956-718-8561 -
El Cenizo Municipal Court
Address: 507 Cadena St, El Cenizo TX 78046
Phone: 956-712-9107 -
Laredo Municipal Court
Address: 4610 Maher Ave, PO Box 579, Laredo TX 78042
Phone: 956-794-1680 Fax: 956-717-3407