Calhoun County Adult Detention Center Criminal Court Process

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Calhoun County

Criminal Court Process for Calhoun County Texas

Calhoun County lies on Matagorda and Lavaca bays on the middle Texas coast, with Port Lavaca as its county seat and Seadrift, Point Comfort and Port O'Connor as its other communities. Class C cases are heard by five justice of the peace courts and by the municipal courts in Port Lavaca, Point Comfort and Seadrift; Class A and B misdemeanors go to the Calhoun County Court at Law; and felonies are tried in the 24th, 135th or 267th District Court, three courts the county shares with Victoria, DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson and Refugio counties. The elected Calhoun County Criminal District Attorney prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies. Adults arrested anywhere in the county are booked into the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center on West Live Oak Street in Port Lavaca, operated by the Sheriff.

  • Calhoun County Courthouse (County Judge, County Court at Law, district courts, clerks), 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4600
  • Calhoun County District Clerk (24th, 135th and 267th District Courts), 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4630
  • Calhoun County Court at Law, 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4640
  • Calhoun County Criminal District Attorney (misdemeanors and felonies), 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4422
  • Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Port Lavaca, (361) 553-4646
  • Calhoun County Adult Detention Center, 302 West Live Oak Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4475

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, the fine-only offenses such as speeding and other traffic violations, public intoxication, theft of less than $100 and assault by contact without injury, are filed in the Justice of the Peace court for the precinct where the offense occurred or in the municipal court of Port Lavaca, Point Comfort or Seadrift when a city officer issues the citation. Class A and B misdemeanors, including a first DWI, are tried in the Calhoun County Court at Law. Felonies begin with magistrate warnings and, after indictment by a Calhoun County grand jury, are heard in the 24th, 135th or 267th District Court. Those judges rotate among six counties of the Crossroads region, sitting in Port Lavaca on scheduled weeks.

Where pretrial inmates are held. Port Lavaca's police department does not run a jail, so city officers, deputies, constables, game wardens and DPS troopers all bring arrested adults to the county detention center at 302 West Live Oak Street. The facility has about 144 beds and also houses some inmates for other agencies. A defendant who does not post bail remains there while the case is pending. Call the detention center at (361) 553-4475 about booking, charges, bond or visitation, or the Sheriff's Office at (361) 553-4646.

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

Calhoun County has five justice precincts: two in Port Lavaca and one each in Point Comfort, Seadrift and Port O'Connor. The justices hear Class C cases and also serve as magistrates for people booked at the detention center, where they deliver the required warnings and set bond.

Justice of the Peace courts

  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 (Port Lavaca), 201 West Austin Street, Suite 12, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4621
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 (Port Lavaca), 201 West Austin Street, Suite 11, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4622
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (Point Comfort), P.O. Box 543, Point Comfort, TX 77978, (361) 987-2930
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 (Seadrift), Seadrift, TX 77983, (361) 785-7082
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 (Port O'Connor), Port O'Connor, TX 77982, (361) 983-2351

Municipal courts

  • Port Lavaca Municipal Court, Port Lavaca City Hall, 202 North Virginia Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 552-9793
  • Point Comfort Municipal Court, 1415 East Main (P.O. Box 497), Point Comfort, TX 77978, (361) 987-2661
  • Seadrift Municipal Court, handled through Seadrift City Hall, Seadrift, TX 77983, (361) 785-2218

Port O'Connor and the other unincorporated areas have no city court, so citations written there go to the justice court for that precinct.

County courts

  • Calhoun County Court at Law (Class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from justice and municipal courts), 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4640
  • Calhoun County constitutional county court (County Judge), 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, (361) 553-4600

A defendant convicted in a justice or municipal court can appeal for a new trial in the County Court at Law, usually by filing an appeal bond within 10 days.

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

Calhoun County misdemeanors range from boating while intoxicated on the bays to shoplifting in Port Lavaca and family disturbances. A person arrested for a Class A or B offense is booked into the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center.

Within 48 hours

Under article 15.17, the person must appear before a magistrate, normally a justice of the peace, within 48 hours. The magistrate explains the charges and the right to counsel, takes a request for an appointed lawyer if the person wants one, and sets bail. Bail may be posted in cash, through a surety bond from a licensed bail bondsman (who keeps the fee), or as a personal bond. Assault defendants accused of family violence often receive an emergency protective order and must stay away from the alleged victim.

In the County Court at Law

The Criminal District Attorney's Office files the case in the County Court at Law, where the defendant is arraigned and the case is set for pretrial hearings. Plea offers are common, and a defendant who wants a trial can request a six-person jury. Calhoun County appoints private lawyers for defendants who cannot afford one under its indigent defense plan; requests are taken at magistration and can be followed up with the court at (361) 553-4640.

Penalties

  • Theft: under $100 is Class C and carries only a fine of up to $500; $100 to $750 is Class B, punishable by up to 180 days and $2,000; $750 to $2,500 is Class A, with as much as one year and $4,000.
  • Assault causing bodily injury: Class A; a family-violence finding can make a later offense a felony.
  • Criminal trespass: Class B, or Class A if it involves a habitation or a deadly weapon.
  • First DWI (or boating while intoxicated): Class B, 72 hours to 180 days in jail and up to a $3,000 fine; Class A at 0.15 or higher; a six-day jail minimum when an open container is found. Also expect an administrative license suspension, a DWI education course, a possible ignition interlock and a state traffic fine after conviction.

Outcomes include dismissal, pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication, probation, fines and jail. Many people who complete deferred adjudication can later seek an order of nondisclosure. A typical misdemeanor takes two to six months.

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

Calhoun County felonies are prosecuted by the county's own Criminal District Attorney and assigned to one of three district courts that travel the Crossroads region. Here is the usual sequence.

  1. Booking and magistrate. The defendant is booked into the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center and sees a magistrate within 48 hours. Before setting bail, the magistrate reviews the public safety report required by the Damon Allen Act.
  2. A lawyer for those who cannot pay. Under the district courts' indigent defense plan, the judges appoint private attorneys, with support from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. Ask at magistration or contact the District Clerk at (361) 553-4630.
  3. Grand jury. The Criminal District Attorney presents the case to a Calhoun County grand jury, which may indict or no-bill it. Waiving indictment and proceeding on an information is also possible.
  4. Release after delay. Under article 17.151, a jailed felony defendant is generally entitled to release on personal bond or reduced bail if the State is not ready within 90 days, except for violent charges.
  5. Plea or trial. Plea bargains resolve most cases. At trial, 12 jurors must agree unanimously, and the defendant may elect to have the jury decide punishment.

Punishment levels

  • State jail felony: between 180 days and 2 years in a state jail, with a fine of up to $10,000 (theft of $2,500 to $30,000, for instance).
  • Third degree: 2 to 10 years. Second degree: 2 to 20 years, which is the range covering burglary of a habitation and most aggravated assaults. First degree: 5 to 99 years or life.
  • Drug possession or delivery: graded by penalty group and weight, from state jail felony to first degree.

Prior felony convictions raise the range. A "3g" conviction means serving half the sentence (two years minimum) before parole eligibility, while most other offenses allow eligibility after about a quarter with good time. Deferred adjudication is often available to first-time defendants. Felonies in Calhoun County usually take six to eighteen months.

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

For murder, sexual assault, aggravated robbery and other violent felonies, the case goes to the 24th, 135th or 267th District Court and the defendant is likely to stay in the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center for a long time. Personal bonds are prohibited for violent offenses, and Under a constitutional amendment Texas voters approved in 2025, judges in Calhoun County can deny bail in some violent-crime cases.

  • Capital murder: life without parole or death.
  • Murder: punished as a first-degree felony, from 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
  • Sexual assault: second degree, 2 to 20 years. Aggravated sexual assault: first degree, with a 25-year minimum for certain child victims, plus sex-offender registration.
  • Aggravated robbery: a first-degree felony carrying 5 to 99 years or life.

The Sheriff's Office and Port Lavaca police lead most investigations, sometimes with help from the Texas Rangers. Forensic testing through DPS labs adds time. In capital cases the court must appoint qualified capital counsel. The Criminal District Attorney's victim assistance staff help victims exercise their rights under article I, section 30 of the Texas Constitution, including notice and the right to be heard at sentencing. Expect one to three years.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Calhoun County

A child who was 10 to 16 when the offense happened is handled in juvenile court, while a 17-year-old is prosecuted as an adult and booked into the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center.

Who handles juvenile cases

The Calhoun County Juvenile Board designates the juvenile court, which is the County Court at Law or a district court sitting as juvenile court in Port Lavaca. The Calhoun County Juvenile Probation Department handles intake, deciding whether a child may go home, whether a minor first offense can be handled informally, and whether to refer the case to the Criminal District Attorney to file a petition.

Detention

Calhoun County does not operate its own juvenile detention center. A youth who must be held is typically placed in a regional facility under contract, such as one in Victoria. A detention hearing must be held within two working days, and a judge reviews detention regularly afterward.

What can happen

  • Deferred prosecution, probation, community service, counseling or restitution.
  • Placement in a residential facility or commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).
  • A determinate sentence for the most serious offenses, possibly continuing in adult prison.
  • Certification as an adult, generally possible at 14 or older for capital and first-degree felonies (and certain aggravated drug felonies) and 15 or older for other felonies.

Children have the right to a lawyer, appointed if the family cannot afford one. Juvenile records are confidential and often eligible for sealing.

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

Calhoun County belongs to the Victoria Division of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The division's courthouse is in the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building in Victoria, about 30 miles from Port Lavaca.

  • U.S. District Clerk, Victoria, Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building, 312 South Main Street, Room 406, Victoria, TX 77901, (361) 788-5000
  • U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas; the nearest staffed office is in Corpus Christi, 800 North Shoreline Boulevard, Suite 500, Corpus Christi, TX 78401, (361) 888-3111
  • Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas, or a private Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel lawyer appointed by the court

Federal cases from the coast

Calhoun County's location on the Gulf brings a mix of federal cases: drug trafficking, including loads moved by boat or along Highway 35; firearms offenses; child exploitation; fraud; and environmental or maritime violations connected to the bays, the ship channel and the large industrial plants at Point Comfort and Seadrift. Agencies such as the Coast Guard, DEA, ATF, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations may be involved.

Federal procedure

A U.S. magistrate judge conducts the initial appearance and appoints counsel when needed. If the government seeks detention, a hearing is usually held within three court days, and the Bail Reform Act controls the decision: release on conditions supervised by U.S. Pretrial Services, or detention. Commercial bail is not used in federal court. A complaint must be followed by an indictment within 30 days, and the Speedy Trial Act sets a 70-day trial deadline, though extensions are routine. Most cases end in a plea; a federal trial jury has 12 members and must be unanimous.

Sentencing

The probation office writes a presentence report, and the judge considers the advisory Sentencing Guidelines along with any mandatory minimum. Because federal law abolished parole, a prisoner serves about 85 percent of the term in the Bureau of Prisons before supervised release. Appeals go to the Fifth Circuit.

To find someone in federal custody, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator for a Calhoun County defendant by name or register number. A pretrial detainee held under a U.S. Marshals contract in a county jail may also appear on that jail's inmate roster. Federal juvenile prosecutions are rare.

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This guide provides general information about criminal cases in Calhoun County and is not legal advice. Court settings and contact information change, so confirm hearing dates with the clerk. Anyone accused of a crime in Calhoun County should get help from a criminal defense lawyer; a person who cannot afford one can request appointed counsel at magistration, through the District Clerk at (361) 553-4630 for felonies, or through the County Court at Law at (361) 553-4640 for misdemeanors.

Criminal Court Process for Calhoun County Texas

Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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, Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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, Calhoun County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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

POINT COMFORT JUSTICE-PEACE
102 JONES ST
POINT COMFORT TX, 77978
361-987-2661
CALHOUN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
211 S ANN ST
PORT LAVACA TX, 77979
361-553-4411
PORT LAVACA MUNICIPAL COURT
202 N VIRGINIA ST
PORT LAVACA TX, 77979
361-552-9793
SEADRIFT CITY JUDGE
501 S MAIN ST
SEADRIFT TX, 77983
361-785-2218

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Calhoun County

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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.