Caldwell County Correctional Facility Criminal Court Process

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Criminal Court Process for Caldwell County Texas

Lockhart, known for its barbecue and its domed stone courthouse, is the county seat of Caldwell County, a growing county of more than 45,000 people between Austin and San Antonio. Class C cases are heard by four justice of the peace courts and the municipal courts of Lockhart, Luling and Martindale; Class A and B misdemeanors go to the Caldwell County Court at Law; and felonies are tried in the 22nd, 207th and 421st District Courts, all of which sit at the Caldwell County Justice Center on South Colorado Street. A single elected Criminal District Attorney prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies. Adults arrested in the county are booked into the Caldwell County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office on Reed Drive in Lockhart.

  • Caldwell County Justice Center (district courts, County Court at Law, clerks, Criminal District Attorney), 1703 South Colorado Street, Lockhart, TX 78644
  • 22nd, 207th and 421st District Courts, court coordinator (512) 398-1807; District Clerk (512) 398-1806
  • Caldwell County Court at Law, 1703 South Colorado Street, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-6527; County Clerk, courts division (512) 398-1824
  • Caldwell County Criminal District Attorney (misdemeanors and felonies), 1703 South Colorado Street, Box 5, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-1811
  • Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, 1204 Reed Drive, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-6777
  • Caldwell County Jail, 1204 Reed Drive, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-6777

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, which are punishable by a fine only (traffic offenses, public intoxication, theft of under $100, assault by offensive contact), belong in the Justice of the Peace court for the precinct where the offense happened or, inside city limits, the Lockhart, Luling or Martindale municipal court. Class A and B misdemeanors, a first DWI included, are tried in the Caldwell County Court at Law. Felonies begin with magistrate warnings at the jail and, once a grand jury indicts, go to the 22nd, 207th or 421st District Court. The 421st serves Caldwell County alone, while the 22nd and 207th are shared with neighboring counties; none of them is limited to criminal cases.

Where pretrial inmates are held. Lockhart and Luling police, deputies, constables and DPS troopers take arrested adults to the county jail at 1204 Reed Drive, which has about 300 beds and often holds inmates for other jurisdictions under contract. Someone who cannot make bail stays in that jail while the case is pending. For custody status, visitation or property questions, call the Sheriff's Office at (512) 398-6777.

Local courts in Caldwell County (justice of the peace, municipal and county courts)

The four Caldwell County justice courts are spread among Lockhart, Luling and Maxwell. In addition to Class C trials and traffic cases, the justices of the peace take turns as magistrates for people booked at the jail, giving the required warnings and setting bond.

Justice of the Peace courts

  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, 110 South Brazos Street, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-1810
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, 505 East Fannin Street, Luling, TX 78648, (830) 875-5260
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, 9675 State Highway 142 (P.O. Box 145), Maxwell, TX 78656, (512) 357-6729
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, 2990 FM 1185, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-1841

Municipal courts

  • Lockhart Municipal Court, 1914 West San Antonio Street, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-8330
  • Luling Municipal Court, 518 East Pierce Street (mailing: 509 East Crockett Street), Luling, TX 78648, (830) 875-2115
  • Martindale Municipal Court, 409 Main Street (P.O. Box 365), Martindale, TX 78655, (512) 357-6700

Several cities that lie mostly in neighboring counties, including parts of Kyle, Uhland, Niederwald and Mustang Ridge, extend into Caldwell County. A ticket written by one of those cities is filed in that city's own municipal court, so check the citation for the correct court.

County courts

  • Caldwell County Court at Law (Class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from justice and municipal courts), Caldwell County Justice Center, 1703 South Colorado Street, Lockhart, TX 78644, (512) 398-6527
  • Caldwell County constitutional county court (County Judge), Caldwell County Justice Center, 1703 South Colorado Street, Lockhart, TX 78644; County Clerk courts division (512) 398-1824

Anyone convicted in a justice or municipal court can appeal to the County Court at Law, normally by filing an appeal bond within 10 days of the judgment.

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Misdemeanor (for example, theft, a first DWI, assault causing bodily injury, criminal trespass)

State Highway 130, U.S. 183 and Interstate 10 all pass through Caldwell County, so traffic stops produce many of its DWI and drug-possession arrests. Class A and B arrests end with booking at the Caldwell County Jail on Reed Drive.

The magistrate and release

Each arrested person must be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours under article 15.17. The magistrate, usually a justice of the peace working at the jail, explains the charge, warns the person of the rights to silence and counsel, records any request for a court-appointed lawyer and sets bail. Release can be through a cash bond, a surety bond from a licensed bail bondsman, or a personal bond, sometimes with conditions such as drug testing, an interlock device or no contact with a complaining witness.

County Court at Law

The Criminal District Attorney's misdemeanor division files the case in the County Court at Law. Settings include arraignment, pretrial conferences and, when a defendant wants one, a six-person jury trial. Defendants who cannot afford a lawyer and who face possible jail time receive appointed private counsel under Caldwell County's indigent defense plan. Requests are taken at magistration, and the court can be reached at (512) 398-6527.

Penalty ranges

  • Theft: less than $100 is Class C, with a fine of up to $500; $100 to $750 is Class B (jail of up to 180 days plus a fine of up to $2,000); $750 to $2,500 is Class A (a year in jail at most and a fine of up to $4,000).
  • Assault causing bodily injury: Class A; when the victim is a family or household member, a prior finding can make a later assault a felony.
  • Criminal trespass: Class B ordinarily, Class A in a habitation or with a deadly weapon.
  • First DWI: Class B (72 hours to 180 days, fine up to $3,000); Class A at 0.15 or higher; at least six days in jail if there was an open container. A separate administrative license suspension, a DWI education program, possible ignition interlock and a state traffic fine also apply.

Possible endings include dismissal, pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication, probation, a fine or jail time. Completing deferred adjudication may allow the person to seek an order of nondisclosure. Most misdemeanors in Caldwell County are resolved in two to six months.

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Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession or delivery, aggravated assault)

Caldwell County's felony cases are spread among three district courts that share the Justice Center in Lockhart, and the same Criminal District Attorney's Office that handles misdemeanors prosecutes them.

How a felony moves

  1. Booking and magistration. After booking at the Caldwell County Jail, the defendant sees a magistrate within 48 hours. The magistrate reviews the public safety report required by the 2021 Damon Allen Act before setting bail.
  2. Appointed counsel. Indigent felony defendants receive appointed private attorneys under the district courts' indigent defense plan, which the Texas Indigent Defense Commission helps fund. Request counsel at magistration or contact the district court coordinator at (512) 398-1807.
  3. Grand jury. The Criminal District Attorney presents cases to a Caldwell County grand jury; an indictment sends the case to the 22nd, 207th or 421st District Court. Defendants may also waive indictment and proceed on an information.
  4. Pretrial. The court arraigns the defendant, sets discovery and motion deadlines, and schedules plea and trial settings.
  5. The 90-day rule. A felony defendant held in jail generally must be released on personal bond or reduced bail if the State is not ready for trial within 90 days, except in violent-offense cases.
  6. Plea or trial. Most cases end in plea agreements. Trials use 12 jurors, the verdict must be unanimous, and the defendant may choose jury sentencing.

Punishment ranges

  • State jail felony: a state jail term of 180 days to 2 years plus a possible $10,000 fine (theft of $2,500 to $30,000 is one example).
  • Third degree: 2 to 10 years. Second degree: 2 to 20 years, the level for burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault. First degree: 5 to 99 years or life.
  • Drug offenses: the penalty group and weight determine the degree, from a state jail felony for small amounts to first degree for large quantities.

Prior felonies can enhance the range. For "3g" offenses, parole eligibility comes only after half the sentence (at least two years); most other inmates are eligible after about one quarter including good time. Many first-time felony defendants can receive deferred adjudication. In Caldwell County a typical felony takes six to eighteen months.

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Violent felony (for example, murder, sexual assault, aggravated robbery)

Violent felony prosecutions in Caldwell County proceed in the same three district courts but with far stricter release rules. A personal bond is not allowed for a violent offense, high bail is common, and Under a constitutional amendment Texas voters approved in 2025, judges in Caldwell County can deny bail in some violent-crime cases. Defendants who are not released wait for trial in the Caldwell County Jail.

  • Capital murder: the death penalty or life without parole.
  • Murder: a felony of the first degree, 5 to 99 years or a life term.
  • Sexual assault: second degree, 2 to 20 years; aggravated sexual assault: first degree, with a 25-year minimum for some child-victim cases, and sex-offender registration after conviction.
  • Aggravated robbery: first degree, 5 to 99 years or life, treated as a "3g" offense.

The Sheriff's Office and the Lockhart and Luling police departments investigate these cases, frequently with the Texas Rangers and DPS crime laboratories. A capital defendant must be represented by attorneys who meet the state's capital qualification standards. Victims' rights under article I, section 30 of the Texas Constitution include notice of hearings, the chance to confer with the prosecutor and an opportunity to address the court. Violent felony cases here often take one to three years.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Caldwell County

Texas juvenile courts handle children who were 10 through 16 at the time of the offense. Seventeen-year-olds are adults for criminal purposes and are booked into the Caldwell County Jail.

The juvenile court and probation department

The Caldwell County Juvenile Board designates the juvenile court, which is the County Court at Law or one of the district courts at the Justice Center. Caldwell County Juvenile Probation, which supervises youths under 17, conducts intake. Probation officers decide whether to release the child to a parent, offer deferred prosecution, or refer the case to the Criminal District Attorney, who files juvenile petitions.

Detention

A child who must be detained is held in a certified juvenile detention facility, typically a regional center in a neighboring county used by Caldwell County under contract. The law requires a detention hearing within two working days, after which the judge may continue detention or release the child with conditions.

Possible results

  • Deferred prosecution, probation, community service, counseling or restitution.
  • Placement in a residential treatment program, or commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).
  • A determinate sentence for serious violent offenses, which can result in transfer to adult prison.
  • Certification to stand trial as an adult, generally possible for youths 14 and older charged with capital or first-degree felonies (and certain aggravated drug felonies) and 15 and older for other felonies.

Every child has the right to a lawyer, and the court appoints one if the family cannot afford it. Juvenile records stay confidential, and many of them can be sealed later on.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Caldwell County

Caldwell County is assigned to the Austin Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, even though Luling and much of the southern county are closer to San Antonio. Federal defendants from the county go to the Austin courthouse, about 30 miles north of Lockhart.

  • Austin federal courthouse (clerk's office), 501 West Fifth Street, Suite 1100, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 916-5896
  • U.S. Attorney's Office, Austin, 903 San Jacinto Boulevard, Suite 334, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 916-5858
  • Federal Public Defender, Western District of Texas, which has an Austin office; private Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorneys are also appointed

When a case becomes federal

Drug distribution along Interstate 10 and State Highway 130, firearm possession by people with felony convictions, and child exploitation cases make up much of the federal work from Caldwell County. Bank robbery, identity theft and fraud on federal programs also lead to federal charges. These cases usually come from investigations by the DEA, ATF, FBI or Homeland Security Investigations, sometimes working with local officers.

The early stages

At the initial appearance, a U.S. magistrate judge explains the charges and appoints a lawyer for anyone who cannot afford one. If the government moves for detention, a hearing generally takes place within three court days. The Bail Reform Act allows release on conditions monitored by U.S. Pretrial Services or detention when no conditions are adequate; commercial bail plays no role.

Indictment, plea and sentence

A complaint must be followed by a grand jury indictment within 30 days of arrest, and the Speedy Trial Act sets a 70-day trial deadline that is often extended. Most defendants plead guilty; conviction at trial takes a unanimous vote of 12 jurors. U.S. Probation then prepares a presentence report, and the judge applies the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and any mandatory minimum. There is no federal parole; prisoners serve about 85 percent of the term in the Bureau of Prisons and then a term of supervised release. A Caldwell County federal appeal goes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator can be searched by name or register number. A defendant held before trial in a county jail under a U.S. Marshals contract may also show up on the roster that jail publishes. Federal court rarely handles cases against anyone under 18.

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This guide is a general description of the criminal process in Caldwell County and is not legal advice. Court settings, offices and phone numbers may change. A person charged with a crime should get advice from a defense attorney; a person who cannot afford one may request appointed counsel at magistration or through the district court coordinator at (512) 398-1807 or the County Court at Law at (512) 398-6527.

Criminal Court Process for Caldwell County Texas

Caldwell County Texas Criminal Court System – Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Texas Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Caldwell County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when Texas, Caldwell County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Caldwell County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Caldwell County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested has the opportunity to “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Texas, Caldwell County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Caldwell County or the district works in the prosecutor’s office.  A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment in Texas comes after charges are formally filed, usually by indictment for a felony. The trial court reads the charge and the defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest. It is a separate step from the first appearance before a magistrate, where rights are explained, bail is set and a request for an appointed lawyer can be made.

An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by the Caldwell County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. In Texas, bail and its conditions are set by a magistrate soon after arrest, at the hearing often called magistration. When the case is over, cash posted as bail is refunded on the court’s order to the person named on the receipt, less any fee the law allows.

If a person does not pay bail, they stay in custody until their trial.  Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid. In Texas it usually happens at the first appearance before a magistrate, soon after arrest, well before any arraignment. A defendant may have a lawyer at a bond proceeding, and a defendant facing a request to deny bail under Proposition 3 has the right to one at that hearing. Jailers, police and prosecutors can’t set bail. In Texas a magistrate does, usually within 48 hours of arrest, and that magistrate may be a justice of the peace, a municipal judge, an appointed magistrate or a county or district judge. Texas doesn’t use one bail schedule for the whole state; each county’s judges adopt their own. Before setting bail, the magistrate reviews a Public Safety Report on the person’s criminal history (the Damon Allen Act, Senate Bill 6, 2021). Since September 2025, Senate Bill 9 sends some felony bail decisions to a judge rather than an appointed magistrate, and since November 2025 Proposition 3 lets a judge deny bail outright for certain violent and sexual felonies after a hearing.

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible to pay the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash bonds in Texas. Instead of using a bondsman, the defendant or someone on their behalf deposits the full bail amount with the court or the sheriff. The money is held until the case ends, then refunded on the court’s order to the person named on the receipt, less the administrative fee the law allows (Art. 17.02).

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed under Texas law, or by the county’s bail bond board in counties that have one. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Texas.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate.  Usually, the property must be in Caldwell County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

An Unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court.

A Secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front. If they show to court, they would get the money back and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount.

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest.

If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases. Class C misdemeanors do not qualify for indigent representation.  

Texas requires that the county pays for appointed counsel and expenses and each county may address indigent defense differently but must comply with the state commission’s guidelines.  If an accused cannot afford a lawyer, the court appoints one. A judge may later order the defendant to repay some or all of that cost if they are able to.  

For less serious cases or civil cases, pro bono volunteers give legal help free or at low cost. Many hold clinics on representing yourself or clearing (expunging) a record. Pro Bono Texas is a good place to start looking for one.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.

In Texas, a district court is the main state trial court for felonies. The name can also mean a U.S. federal district court, which hears federal cases; Texas has four federal judicial districts with offices around the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

Texas Felony vs Misdemeanor

In Texas, a misdemeanor is divided into Class A, Class B and Class C.

  • Class A is the most serious misdemeanor with penalties of up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $4000.  Examples of a Class A misdemeanor in Texas include property theft valued between $750 and $2500, certain drug possession offenses and assault with bodily harm. 
  • Class B Misdemeanors can result in penalties of up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2000. Examples of a Class B misdemeanor include first offense DWI, possession of marijuana and criminal trespassing.
  • Class C misdemeanor is the least serious and results in a fine of up to $500 without jail time. Examples of Class C misdemeanor include disorderly conduct, simple assault without bodily injury and minor possession of alcohol.

A felony crime in Texas is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and can be punished with more significant fines and jail time of more than one year.  Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.

In Texas, the elected District Clerk keeps the records for felony cases and the elected County Clerk (or County Court at Law clerk) keeps misdemeanor records; both accept filings, bonds, fees and fines and keep the court’s files.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Clerk or County Clerk, and payment methods can be found on the Caldwell County District Clerk or County Clerk website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

Texas Criminal Court System - How it Works

Justice courts are located within precincts are the lower-level criminal courts that handle Class C misdemeanors such as disorderly conduct, public intoxication and minor possession of alcohol and traffic violations. The judges are magistrates. 

Municipal courts handle violations of municipal ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations and criminal misdemeanor offenses that occur within the city or towns police jurisdiction. They overlap with justice courts in handling Class C misdemeanors. These courts are for criminal misdemeanors and are only punishable by fine and there is no confinement.

When there is an appeal request from a judgement made in justice or municipal court, the case is heard in a county or district court as if the original trial in the lower court had not occurred.  This is called trial de novo.

Texas County Courts are the original and trial courts for the more serious Class A and B misdemeanor cases. Each Texas county has one constitutional county court, and many counties have added statutory County Courts at Law to share its caseload; in larger counties those courts hear most Class A and B misdemeanors.  County courts are not courts for felony cases.

District courts in Texas are trial courts that handle criminal felony cases from beginning to end.  

Every Texas county designates at least one court to sit as its juvenile court (Family Code 51.04). A child in juvenile court is someone who was 10 through 16 at the time of the alleged conduct; at 17, Texas treats a person as an adult in criminal cases. The juvenile cases are handled by judges assigned to only serve “juvenile court”.

Courts of Appeal handle appeals from the district and county courts.

Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. Texas offers a variety of specialty courts throughout the state including drug, veteran’s, re-entry and DWI courts.

Texas has two high courts. The Texas Supreme Court is the final word on civil and juvenile cases. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin is the highest court for criminal cases and automatically reviews every death sentence. Most criminal appeals reach it after one of the state’s intermediate courts of appeals has ruled.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Texas state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There are four U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Texas.

Courts

LOCKHART MUNICIPAL COURT
1914 W SAN ANTONIO ST
LOCKHART TX, 78644
512-376-9469
COUNTY JUDGE
110 S MAIN ST # 301
LOCKHART TX, 78644
512-398-1809
LULING CITY MUNICIPAL COURT
518 E PIERCE ST
LULING TX, 78648
830-875-2115
MARTINDALE MUNICIPAL COURT
407 MAIN ST
MARTINDALE TX, 78655
512-357-6700

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.