Wichita County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Wichita County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Wichita County.
Arraignments in Wichita County
During an arraignment in Wichita County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Wichita County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Wichita County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Wichita 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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Wichita 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.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
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.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Wichita County
Any required court appearances in Wichita 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.
Where will Wichita County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Wichita County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Wichita County.
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.
Wichita County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Wichita County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Wichita County. The Wichita 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.
I need help for my Wichita 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 Wichita 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 Wichita 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.
Wichita County Criminal Court Locations
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Wichita County 30th District Court
Address: 900 7th St, #303, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8190 (Civil) 940-766-8187 (Criminal) -
Wichita County 78th District Court
Address: 900 7th St, #303, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8190 (Civil) 940-766-8187 (Criminal) -
Wichita County 89th District Court
Address: 900 7th St, #303, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8190 (Civil) 940-766-8187 (Criminal) -
Wichita County Constitutional Court
Address: 900 7th St, #250, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8195 Fax: 940-716-8554 -
Wichita County Court at Law No. 1
Address: 900 7th St, #303, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8190 (Civil) 940-766-8187 (Criminal) -
Wichita County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 900 7th St, #303, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8190 (Civil) 940-766-8187 (Criminal) -
Wichita County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 1
Address: 900 7th St, #281, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8141 Fax: 940-766-8282 -
Wichita County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 2
Address: 900 7th Street, #282, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-766-8143 Fax: 940-766-8283 -
Wichita County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 100 West College, #2, Burkburnett TX 76354
Phone: 940-569-1140 Fax: 940-569-3368 -
Wichita County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 404 N Wall St, Iowa Park TX 76367
Phone: 940-592-9388 Fax: 940-592-2638 -
Wichita County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 2023 SH 25 N, Electra TX 76360
Phone: 940-495-2460 Fax: 940-495-4098 -
Burkburnett Municipal Court
Address: 501 Sheppard Rd, Burkburnett TX 76354
Phone: 940-569-7331 -
Electra Municipal Court
Address: 103 W Cleveland, Electra TX 76360
Phone: 940-495-3536 -
Iowa Park Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 190, Iowa Park TX 76367
Phone: 940-592-2131 -
Wichita Falls Municipal Court
Address: 611 Bluff St, Wichita Falls TX 76301
Phone: 940-761-7880 Fax: 940-761-7990