Bowie County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Bowie County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Bowie County.
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.
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.
Who is the prosecutor for Bowie County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Bowie County criminal cases will either be a representative of Bowie 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.
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.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in Bowie County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Bowie 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.
Where will Bowie County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Bowie County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Bowie County.
I need help for my Bowie 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 Bowie 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 Bowie 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.
Sentencing in Bowie County
In Bowie 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.
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.
Arraignments in Bowie County
During an arraignment in Bowie 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 Bowie 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 Bowie County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Bowie County Criminal Court Locations
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Bowie County 5th District Court
Address: 710 James Bowie Dr, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-6750 Fax: 903-628-6761 -
Bowie County 102nd District Court
Address: 710 James Bowie Dr, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-6750 Fax: 903-628-6761 -
Bowie County 202nd District Court
Address: 710 James Bowie Dr, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-6750 Fax: 903-628-6761 -
Bowie County Constitutional Court
Address: 710 James Bowie Dr, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-6740 Fax: 903-628-6729 -
Bowie County Court at Law
Address: 710 James Bowie Dr, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-6740 Fax: 903-628-6729 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 1
Address: 100 N State Line Ave, #13, Texarkana TX 75501
Phone: 903-798-3006 Fax: 903-798-3601 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 – Place 2
Address: 100 N State Line Ave, #14, Texarkana TX 75501
Phone: 903-798-3038 Fax: 903-798-3601 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 710 James Bowie Dr, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-6812 Fax: 903-628-6827 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 780 NW Front St, PO Box 241, De Kalb TX 75559
Phone: 903-667-3891 Fax: 903-667-9931 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 3398 FM 561, Simms TX 75574
Phone: 903-543-2279 Fax: 903-543-2279 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
Address: PO Box 189, Maud TX 75567
Phone: 903-585-5428 Fax: 903-585-2111 -
Bowie County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7
Address: PO Box 550, Hooks TX 75561
Phone: 903-547-6900 Fax: 903-547-6930 -
De Kalb Municipal Court
Address: 110 E Grizzly Dr, De Kalb TX 75559
Phone: 903-667-3846 -
Hooks Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 37, Hooks TX 75561
Phone: 903-547-7056 -
Maud Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 100, Maud TX 75567
Phone: 903-585-2294 -
Nash Municipal Court
Address: 111 Elm St, PO Box 520, Nash TX 75569
Phone: 903-838-0822 Fax: 903-831-3411 -
New Boston Municipal Court
Address: 105 N Center St, New Boston TX 75570
Phone: 903-628-3503 -
Redwater Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 188, Maud TX 75567
Phone: 903-671-2775 -
Texarkana Municipal Court
Address: 100 N State Line Ave, PO Box 1967, Texarkana TX 75504
Phone: 903-798-3008 Fax: 903-798-3499 -
Wake Village Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 3776, Wake Village TX 75501
Phone: 903-838-0515