Titus County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Titus County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Titus County.
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 Titus 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.
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 Titus County
During an arraignment in Titus 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 Titus 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 Titus County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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.
Where can I get help for my Titus 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 Titus 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.
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.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Titus County
Any required court appearances in Titus 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.
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.
Titus County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Titus County will take place at the Titus County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Titus County Criminal Court Locations.
Jury Deliberations in Titus County
In Titus 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Titus County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Titus County criminal cases will either be a representative of Titus 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.
Titus County Criminal Court Locations
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Titus County 76th District Court
Address: 105 W 1st St, PO Box 492, Mt Pleasant TX 75456
Phone: 903-577-6721 Fax: 903-577-6719 -
Titus County 276th District Court
Address: 105 W 1st St, PO Box 492, Mt Pleasant TX 75456
Phone: 903-577-6721 Fax: 903-577-6719 -
Titus County Constitutional Court
Address: 100 W 1st St, #204, Mount Pleasant TX 75455
Phone: 903-577-6796 Fax: 903-572-5078 -
Titus County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Address: 100 S Madison, #200, Mount Pleasant TX 75455
Phone: 903-577-6756 Fax: 903-572-0921 -
Titus County Justice of the Peace Precincts 1, 3, and 4
Address: 100 S Madison, #100, Mount Pleasant TX 75455
Phone: 903-577-6760 Fax: 903-572-0971 -
Mount Pleasant Municipal Court
Address: 501 N Madison Ave, Mount Pleasant TX 75455
Phone: 903-575-4010 Fax: 903-575-4121 -
Winfield Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 98, Winfield TX 75493
Phone: 903-524-2020