Medina County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Medina County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Medina County.
Medina County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Medina County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Medina 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 Medina 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.
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 Medina County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
I need help for my Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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.
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 Medina 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.
Where will Medina County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Medina County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Medina County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Medina County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Medina County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Medina County. The Medina 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 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.
Required Court Appearances in Medina County
Any required court appearances in Medina 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.
Medina County Criminal Court Locations
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Medina County 38th District Court
Address: 1100 16th St, #209, Hondo TX 78861
Phone: 830-741-6070 Fax: 830-741-6015 -
Medina County Constitutional Court
Address: 1100 16th St, #109, Hondo TX 78861
Phone: 830-741-6040 Fax: 830-741-6015 -
Medina County Court at Law
Address: 1100 16th St, #109, Hondo TX 78861
Phone: 830-741-6040 Fax: 830-741-6015 -
Medina County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Address: 1100 16th St, Hondo TX 78861
Phone: 830-741-6051 Fax: 830-741-6052 -
Medina County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 1312 Geneva St, Castroville TX 78009
Phone: 830-931-4010 Fax: 830-931-4015 -
Medina County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Address: 1100 16th St, #105, Hondo TX 78861
Phone: 830-741-6030 Fax: 830-741-6015 -
Medina County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Address: 317 Hwy 132 N, Devine TX 78016
Phone: 830-665-8020 Fax: 830-665-8021 -
Castroville Municipal Court
Address: 1209 Fiorella Street, Castroville TX 78009
Phone: 830-931-4089 Fax: 830-931-6373 -
Devine Municipal Court
Address: 303 S Teel Dr, Devine TX 78016
Phone: 830-663-2804 Fax: 830-663-2208 -
Hondo Municipal Court
Address: 1600 Avenue M, Hondo TX 78861
Phone: 830-426-7058 -
La Coste Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 112, La Coste TX 78039
Phone: 830-985-9494 -
Natalia Municipal Court
Address: 2078 St Hwy 132 N, PO Box 270, Natalia TX 78059
Phone: 830-665-2206 Fax: 830-663-6408