Grayson County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Grayson County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Grayson 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.
Arraignments in Grayson County
During an arraignment in Grayson 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 Grayson 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 Grayson County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Sentencing in Grayson County
In Grayson 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.
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 Grayson 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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Grayson 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.
Where can I get help for my Grayson County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Grayson County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
Required Court Appearances in Grayson County
Any required court appearances in Grayson 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.
Grayson County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Grayson County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Grayson County. The Grayson 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.
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.
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.
Grayson County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Grayson County will take place at the Grayson County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Grayson County Criminal Court Locations.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
Grayson County Criminal Court Locations
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Grayson County 15th District Court
Address: 200 S Crockett St, #120A, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4352 Fax: 903-870-0609 -
Grayson County 59th District Court
Address: 200 S Crockett St, #120A, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4352 Fax: 903-870-0609 -
Grayson County 397th District Court
Address: 200 S Crockett St, #120A, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4352 Fax: 903-870-0609 -
Grayson County Constitutional Court
Address: 100 W Houston St, #17, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4335 (Civil/Criminal) Fax: 903-892-0829 -
Grayson County Court at Law No. 1
Address: 200 S Crockett St, #212A, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4336 Fax: 903-892-8300 -
Grayson County Court at Law No. 2
Address: 200 S Crockett St, #212A, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4334 Fax: 903-892-8300 -
Grayson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 200 S Crockett St, #111A, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-813-4346 Fax: 903-893-9264 -
Grayson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 101 W Woodard St, Denison TX 75021
Phone: 903-465-0984 Fax: 903-464-9718 -
Grayson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 509 N Union St, Whitesboro TX 76273
Phone: 903-564-3550 Fax: 903-564-9127 -
Grayson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 117 Main St, PO Box 1964, Van Alstyne TX 75495
Phone: 903-482-6543 Fax: 903-482-6573 -
Bells Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 95, Bells TX 75414
Phone: 903-965-7744 -
Collinsville Municipal Court
Address: 103 N Main St, PO Box 649, Collinsville TX 76233
Phone: 903-429-6226 -
Denison Municipal Court
Address: 500 W Chestnut St, Denison TX 75020
Phone: 903-465-2720 x2437 Fax: 903-465-2765 -
Gunter Municipal Court
Address: 508 W Main St, PO Box 349, Gunter TX 75058
Phone: 903-433-5185 Fax: 903-433-8039 -
Howe Municipal Court
Address: 116 E Haning St, PO Box 518, Howe TX 75459
Phone: 903-532-5571 Fax:903-532-6320 -
Pottsboro Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 903-786-2281, x2
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Sherman Municipal Court
Address: 317 S Travis St, Sherman TX 75090
Phone: 903-892-7340 Fax: 903-892-4546 -
Southmayd Municipal Court
Address: 4525 Elementary Dr, PO Box 88, Southmayd TX 76268
Phone: 903-868-9420 -
Tioga Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 206, Tioga TX 76271
Phone: 940-437-2351 -
Tom Bean Municipal Court
Address: 201 S Britton St, PO Box 659, Tom Bean TX 75489
Phone: 903-546-6321 Fax 903-546-4878 -
Van Alstyne Municipal Court
Address: 242 N Preston Ave, PO Box 247, Van Alstyne TX 75495
Phone: 903-482-5251 Fax: 903-482-0328 -
Whitesboro Municipal Court
Address: 111 W Main St, PO Box 340, Whitesboro TX 76273
Phone: 903-564-3587 -
Whitewright Municipal Court
Address: 206 W Grand St, PO Box 516, Whitewright TX 75491
Phone: 903-364-2219