Wise County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Wise County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Wise County.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Wise 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.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Wise County Criminal Court
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.
Arraignments in Wise County
During an arraignment in Wise 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 Wise 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 Wise County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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 Wise 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 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.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Wise County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Wise County will take place at the Wise County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Wise County Criminal Court Locations.
I need help for my Wise 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 Wise 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 Wise 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.
Required Court Appearances in Wise County
Any required court appearances in Wise 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.
Sentencing in Wise County
In Wise County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Who is the prosecutor for Wise County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Wise County criminal cases will either be a representative of Wise 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.
Wise County Criminal Court Locations
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Wise County 271st District Court
Address: 101 N Trinity St, PO Box 308, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-627-5535 Fax: 940-627-0705 -
Wise County Constitutional Court
Address: 200 N Trinity St, PO Box 359, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-627-3351 Fax: 940-627-2138 -
Wise County Court at Law No. 1
Address: 200 N Trinity St, PO Box 359, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-627-3351 Fax: 940-627-2138 -
Wise County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 200 N Trinity St, PO Box 359, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-627-3351 Fax: 940-627-2138 -
Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 205 N State St, PO Box 509, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-627-2694 Fax: 940-627-5417 -
Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 200 Rook Ramsey Dr, PO Box 1534, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-626-4206 Fax: 940-626-4243 -
Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 125 N FM 730, PO Box 86, Boyd TX 76023
Phone: 940-433-2969 Fax: 940-433-3062 -
Wise County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 1007 13th St, #109, Bridgeport TX 76426
Phone: 940-683-4244 Fax: 940-683-3747 -
Alvord Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 63, Alvord TX 76225
Phone: 940-427-5916 -
Aurora Municipal Court
Address: 303 Derting Rd, Rhome TX 76078
Phone: 817-636-2783 -
Boyd Municipal Court
Address: 100 E Rock Island Ave, Boyd TX 76023
Phone: 940-433-5166 Fax: 940-433-8241 -
Bridgeport Municipal Court
Address: 900 Thompson St, Bridgeport TX 76426
Phone: 940-683-3420 Fax: 940-683-3421 -
Chico Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 37, Chico TX 76431
Phone: 940-644-2435 -
Decatur Municipal Court
Address: 201 E Walnut St, PO Box 1299, Decatur TX 76234
Phone: 940-393-0220 -
Lake Bridgeport Municipal Court
Address: 301 S Main St, Lake Bridgeport TX 76426
Phone: 940-683-2700 Fax: 940-683-2700 -
New Fairview Municipal Court
Address: 999 Illinois Lane, New Fairview TX 76078
Phone: 817-638-5366 -
Newark Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 156, Newark TX 76071
Phone: 817-489-2201 -
Paradise Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 314, Paradise TX 76073
Phone: 940-969-2114 -
Rhome Municipal Court
Address: 105 First St, PO Box 228, Rhome TX 76078
Phone: 817-636-2333 -
Runaway Bay Municipal Court
Address: 101 Runaway Bay Dr, Runaway Bay, TX 76426
Phone: 940-575-2511 Fax: 940-575-2563