Terrell County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Terrell County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Terrell County.
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 Terrell County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Arraignments in Terrell County
During an arraignment in Terrell 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 Terrell 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 Terrell County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Who can help me in Terrell County?
For general information about your case the Terrell County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
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.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in Terrell County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Terrell 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.
Jury Deliberations in Terrell County
In Terrell County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
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.
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.
Where will Terrell County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Terrell County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Terrell County.
Prosecutor in Terrell County
In Terrell County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Terrell County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Texas. For the most part, the prosecutor in Terrell County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
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 Terrell 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.
Terrell County Criminal Court Locations
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Terrell County 63rd District Court
Address: 105 E Hackberry St, PO Drawer 410, Sanderson TX 79848
Phone: 432-345-2391 Fax: 432-345-2740 -
Terrell County 83rd District Court
Address: 105 E Hackberry St, PO Drawer 410, Sanderson TX 79848
Phone: 432-345-2391 Fax: 432-345-2740 -
Terrell County Constitutional Court
Address: 105 E Hackberry St, PO Drawer 410, Sanderson TX 79848
Phone: 432-345-2391 Fax: 432-345-2740 -
Terrell County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: PO Box 313, Sanderson TX 79848
Phone: 432-345-2341 -
Terrell County Justice of the Peace Precincts 1, 3, and 4
Address: PO Box 368, Sanderson TX 79848
Phone: 432-345-2660 Fax: 432-345-2653