Jim Hogg County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Jim Hogg County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Jim Hogg 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.
Mandatory Appearances in Jim Hogg County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Jim Hogg 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.
Jim Hogg County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Jim Hogg County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Jim Hogg County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Jim Hogg County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.
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 Jim Hogg 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 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.
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.
I need help for my Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Jim Hogg County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Prosecutor in Jim Hogg County
In Jim Hogg County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Jim Hogg County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Texas. For the most part, the prosecutor in Jim Hogg County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Jim Hogg County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Jim Hogg County will take place at the Jim Hogg County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Jim Hogg 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.
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.
Jim Hogg County Criminal Court Locations
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Jim Hogg County 229th District Court
Address: 102 E Tilley St, PO Box 878, Hebbronville TX 78361
Phone: 361-527-4031 Fax: 361-527-5843 -
Jim Hogg County Constitutional Court
Address: 102 E Tilley St, PO Box 878, Hebbronville TX 78361
Phone: 361-527-4031 Fax: 361-527-5843 -
Jim Hogg County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 201 N Oak St, #1, Hebbronville TX 78361
Phone: 361-527-5830 -
Jim Hogg County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 201 N Oak St, #1, Hebbronville TX 78361
Phone: 361-527-5830 Fax: 361-527-5476 -
Jim Hogg County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 201 N Oak St, #1, Hebbronville TX 78361
Phone: 361-527-5830 Fax: 361-527-5476 -
Jim Hogg County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 201 N Oak St, #1, Hebbronville TX 78361
Phone: 361-527-5830 Fax: 361-527-5476