Childress County Jail Criminal Court Process

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Criminal Court Process for Childress County Texas

Childress County sits on the eastern edge of the Texas Panhandle where U.S. Highways 83 and 287 cross, and the city of Childress is both its county seat and its only incorporated town. Every criminal court in the county meets at the Childress County Courthouse: the justice of the peace and the Childress Municipal Court for fine-only Class C cases, the County Judge's constitutional county court for Class A and B misdemeanors, and the 100th District Court for felonies. The 100th District Court and its District Attorney, based in Wellington, also serve Carson, Collingsworth, Donley and Hall counties, while the Childress County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanors. The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Childress.

  • Childress County Courthouse (100th District Court, County Court, District and County Clerk), 100 Avenue E NW, Childress, TX 79201, (940) 937-6143
  • Childress County Attorney (misdemeanors), Childress, (940) 937-6158
  • 100th Judicial District Attorney (felonies), 800 West Avenue, Box 1, Wellington, TX 79095, (806) 447-0055
  • Childress County Jail (Childress County Sheriff's Office), Childress, TX 79201, (940) 937-2535

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, punishable only by a fine, include highway speeding tickets, public intoxication, theft under $100 and minor assault with no injury. They go to the Childress County Justice of the Peace when a deputy or trooper writes the citation, or to the Childress Municipal Court when a city police officer does. Class A and B misdemeanors, including a first DWI, are heard by the Childress County Court, with the County Judge presiding, because the county has no county court at law. Felonies start with magistrate warnings and, after grand jury indictment, are tried in the 100th District Court.

Where pretrial inmates are held. The Childress County Jail holds roughly 94 people, according to the state jail commission, and a large share of its beds have been used for inmates from other jurisdictions under contract. Local defendants who cannot post bail are held there while their cases are pending. For custody information, call the Sheriff's Office at (940) 937-2535.

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

Childress County has one justice of the peace for the whole county. Along with hearing Class C cases, the justice of the peace issues warrants and serves as the magistrate for people booked into the jail, setting bond and advising them of their rights. The city of Childress runs the only municipal court.

Justice of the peace court

  • Childress County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Childress County Courthouse, 100 Avenue E NW, Box 7, Childress, TX 79201, (940) 937-6145

Municipal court

  • Childress Municipal Court, Box 1087, Childress, TX 79201, (940) 937-6943

County court

  • Childress County Court (constitutional county court, County Judge presiding), Childress County Courthouse, 100 Avenue E NW, Childress, TX 79201; County Judge's office (940) 937-2221, clerk (940) 937-6143

Many Class C tickets here are written to travelers on U.S. 287 between Amarillo and Wichita Falls. Out-of-town drivers can usually handle a ticket by mail or phone: pay it, request a driving safety course or deferred disposition when eligible, or enter a not-guilty plea and ask for a trial date. Appeals from the justice or municipal court go to the county court and must be filed within ten days of the judgment.

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

A jailable misdemeanor arrest in Childress County leads to booking at the Childress County Jail and an appearance before the justice of the peace, acting as magistrate, within 48 hours. The magistrate explains the right to counsel, takes a request for an appointed lawyer if the person wants one, and sets bail: a cash deposit, a surety bond through a bondsman, or a personal bond. Release conditions after a DWI or family-violence arrest are common.

How county court cases proceed

The Childress County Attorney files the formal complaint and information in the county court. At the first appearance before the County Judge, the defendant enters a plea and the court addresses legal representation; appointed counsel is available to indigent defendants who face possible jail. Many cases end in a negotiated plea, deferred adjudication, or a dismissal, and the rest can be tried to a jury of six citizens who must all agree.

Penalties at a glance

  • Class B convictions can bring up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine; Class A, up to twelve months and $4,000.
  • Theft moves from Class C to Class B at $100, to Class A at $750, and becomes a felony at $2,500.
  • A first DWI carries a 72-hour minimum jail term if not probated, a fine of up to $3,000, a license suspension and a required DWI class; at 0.15 or above it is Class A. Refusing or failing a breath or blood test also triggers a separate administrative license suspension.
  • Assault causing bodily injury is Class A; criminal trespass is generally Class B.

Most Childress County misdemeanors are finished in two to six months. Call the clerk at (940) 937-6143 for court dates.

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

Felony defendants arrested in Childress County are held at the Childress County Jail until they post bond. A magistrate sets the first terms after reviewing the required public safety report; the 100th District Court can revise them.

How a felony moves

  1. Grand jury. The 100th Judicial District Attorney presents cases to a Childress County grand jury of twelve, nine of whom must vote to indict.
  2. District court docket. The 100th District judge rotates among five counties, so Childress County criminal matters are set on scheduled days at the Childress courthouse.
  3. Pretrial. The State provides discovery, motions are decided, and the parties negotiate. Many first offenders receive deferred adjudication.
  4. Trial. A unanimous twelve-member jury decides guilt, and the defendant may choose jury sentencing.

Punishment levels

  • State jail felony: six months to two years in a state jail; for example, theft between $2,500 and $30,000.
  • Third degree: two to ten years. Second degree: two to twenty years, which includes most home burglaries and aggravated assaults.
  • First degree: five to ninety-nine years or life.

Fines up to $10,000 may be added, prior felonies can raise the range, and 3g offenses require half the sentence before parole eligibility. A Childress County felony typically takes six to eighteen months.

Childress is also home to a state prison unit operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Crimes committed by inmates or staff inside the prison are generally prosecuted with help from the state's Special Prosecution Unit, but those cases still go through the local grand jury and district court. Indigent defendants in Childress County receive court-appointed lawyers; ask the magistrate or call the District Clerk at (940) 937-6143.

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

People accused of violent felonies in Childress County often remain at the Childress County Jail for the life of the case. State law bars personal bonds for many violent charges, a 2025 constitutional amendment approved by Texas voters lets judges deny bail in some violent-crime cases, and amounts set in other cases tend to be high. The defense may ask the district judge to reduce them.

  • Capital murder: life without parole or death.
  • Murder: first degree, punishable by 5 years up to life in prison.
  • Sexual assault: second degree; aggravated sexual assault: first degree, with a 25-year floor in some cases involving young children. Registration is required after conviction.
  • Aggravated robbery: first degree; the defendant must serve half the sentence before parole is possible.

Major cases may involve the Texas Rangers and state forensic labs, and a contested violent case commonly takes one to three years. Victims are entitled under the Texas Constitution to notice, to be present at public proceedings and to be heard at sentencing; the District Attorney's office provides a victim assistance contact. Indigent capital defendants can be represented by the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Childress County

Texas treats a person who was 10 to 16 years old at the time of an offense as a juvenile. Those 17 and older are adults and are booked into the Childress County Jail.

Juvenile court and probation

The Childress County juvenile board designates the juvenile court, which in a county of this size is usually the 100th District Court or the county court. A juvenile probation officer serving Childress County handles intake: reviewing the referral, meeting with the child and parents, and deciding whether the case can be resolved informally or should go to the prosecutor for a petition.

Detention

Childress County has no juvenile detention center of its own. A youth who must be detained is typically transported to a contracted regional juvenile detention facility, such as one in the Amarillo or Wichita Falls area. A detention hearing must take place within two working days, and a lawyer is appointed if the family cannot afford one.

What can happen

  • Supervisory caution or deferred prosecution for less serious first referrals.
  • Probation with conditions tailored to the youth.
  • Commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) for conduct that would be a felony.
  • Determinate sentencing for listed serious offenses.

Certification to stand trial as an adult is possible after a hearing, generally for a youth 14 or older charged with a capital felony, a first-degree felony or certain aggravated drug felonies, or 15 or older charged with another felony. Juvenile records stay confidential and can be sealed in many situations.

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

Even though Wichita Falls is a similar distance away, federal law places Childress County in the Amarillo Division of the Northern District of Texas, and its federal criminal cases are heard at the Amarillo courthouse, a drive of about two hours.

  • Amarillo Division clerk, 205 SE 5th Avenue, Room 133, Amarillo, TX 79101, (806) 468-3800
  • Northern District U.S. Attorney, Amarillo branch, 500 South Taylor Street, Suite 300, Amarillo, TX 79101, (806) 324-2356
  • Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Texas (Amarillo office), or a private Criminal Justice Act panel attorney for qualifying defendants

When federal charges are filed

U.S. 287 is a busy freight and travel route, so federal cases from Childress County often begin as highway drug seizures. Other common federal cases include gun possession by prohibited persons, child exploitation, and fraud. Federal agents and prosecutors decide whether a case is better suited to federal court, where penalties are frequently higher.

Federal court basics

A person charged federally sees a U.S. magistrate judge first and receives appointed counsel if eligible. Release decisions do not involve paying a bail bond premium to a private company. At a detention hearing, usually within three court days of the government's request, the judge applies the Bail Reform Act to either impose release conditions supervised by U.S. Pretrial Services or keep the defendant in custody. The grand jury must indict within 30 days of an arrest on a complaint, and the Speedy Trial Act targets trial within 70 days, a deadline courts often extend.

Most federal cases are resolved with a guilty plea, and a trial jury of twelve must be unanimous. Sentencing follows a presentence report from the U.S. Probation Office, with the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and any mandatory minimum shaping the result. There is no parole; with good-conduct time, a federal prisoner serves roughly 85 percent of the sentence in the Bureau of Prisons, then supervised release. Appeals go to the Fifth Circuit.

Looking up a federal inmate

Try the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator with the person's name or register number. A defendant held before trial for the U.S. Marshals in a contract county jail may also be shown on that jail's inmate roster. Youths under 18 are rarely charged in federal court.

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This guide gives a general overview of criminal cases in Childress County and is not legal advice; laws, dockets and contact information change. A person facing charges should consult a defense lawyer. To request a court-appointed attorney, ask the magistrate after arrest or call the Childress County District and County Clerk at (940) 937-6143, and confirm all settings before coming to court.

Criminal Court Process for Childress County Texas

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

CHILDRESS COUNTY COURTHOUSE
100 AVENUE E NW # 4
CHILDRESS TX, 79201
940-937-6143

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Childress 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.