Jim Hogg County Detention Center Criminal Court Process

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Criminal Court Process for Jim Hogg County Texas

Hebbronville, an unincorporated ranching town of roughly 4,500 people, is the county seat and the only sizable community in Jim Hogg County. Because there is no incorporated city, there is no municipal court here; Class C cases go to the justice of the peace court, Class A and B misdemeanors to the constitutional county court, and felonies to the 229th District Court, which also serves Duval and Starr counties. The Jim Hogg County Attorney handles misdemeanors, and the 229th Judicial District Attorney prosecutes felonies across the three counties. People arrested in the county are booked into the Jim Hogg County Jail on East Galbraith Street, run by the Sheriff.

  • Jim Hogg County Courthouse (County Judge, county court, 229th District Court, County and District Clerk), 102 East Tilley Street, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-4031
  • 229th Judicial District Attorney (felonies in Duval, Jim Hogg and Starr counties), 102 East Tilley Street, Suite 206, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-4056
  • Jim Hogg County Attorney (misdemeanors and juvenile matters), Jim Hogg County Courthouse, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-4031
  • Jim Hogg County Sheriff's Office, 211 East Galbraith Street, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-4140
  • Jim Hogg County Jail, 211 East Galbraith Street, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-4140 or (361) 527-3389

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, the fine-only charges such as speeding, public intoxication, petty theft under $100 or an assault with no injury, belong in the Justice of the Peace court in Hebbronville; with no city government in the county, there is no municipal court to send them to. Class A and B misdemeanors, a first DWI included, are heard by the Jim Hogg County Court, the constitutional county court where the County Judge presides; the county has no county court at law. Felonies begin with magistrate warnings at the jail and, once a grand jury returns an indictment, move to the 229th District Court, whose judge rotates among Hebbronville, San Diego and Rio Grande City.

Where pretrial inmates are held. The Sheriff's Office operates the county jail at 211 East Galbraith Street in Hebbronville, a small facility that takes adults arrested by deputies, state troopers and other agencies working the county's highways. Someone who cannot post bail stays there until the case is resolved or bond is reduced. When local beds run short, the Sheriff may move inmates under contract to a jail in a neighboring county, so call (361) 527-4140 to confirm where a particular person is housed.

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

Every local court in Jim Hogg County sits in Hebbronville. The justice court on North Oak Street hears traffic tickets and other Class C charges, issues warrants, and serves as the magistrate for people booked at the county jail, explaining their rights and setting bond.

Justice of the Peace courts

  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, 201 North Oak Street, Suite 1, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-5830
  • Justice of the Peace, Precincts 2, 3 and 4, listed at the same office, 201 North Oak Street, Suite 1, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-5830

Call the justice court before a hearing to learn which precinct and judge has the citation, since the precincts share one office.

Municipal courts

Jim Hogg County has no incorporated city, so there is no municipal court. Tickets written in Hebbronville, Guerra, Las Lomitas or on State Highways 16 and 285 all go to the justice court.

County court

  • Jim Hogg County Court (constitutional county court; Class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from the justice court), 102 East Tilley Street, Hebbronville, TX 78361, (361) 527-4031

A person convicted in justice court can appeal to the county court for a new trial, usually 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)

A Class A or B arrest in Jim Hogg County means a trip to the Jim Hogg County Jail for fingerprints, photographs and an inventory of property. Class C offenses normally end with a citation and a date at the justice court rather than a booking.

The first 48 hours

Texas law requires that an arrested person be taken before a magistrate within 48 hours. In Hebbronville that is usually the justice of the peace, who reads the charge, explains the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer, takes any request for appointed counsel, and sets bail. Release can come through a cash deposit, a surety bond posted by a licensed bail bondsman for a nonrefundable fee, or a personal bond. Family-violence arrests often carry an emergency protective order and no-contact conditions.

Court dates and lawyers

The County Attorney files the formal charge, called an information, in the Jim Hogg County Court. The County Judge holds criminal dockets for arraignments, plea agreements and pretrial matters; a defendant who wants a trial gets a six-person jury. People who cannot afford a lawyer receive an appointed private attorney under the county's indigent defense plan, and anyone who missed the chance at magistration can ask through the County Clerk at (361) 527-4031.

Possible penalties

  • Theft: under $100 is Class C (fine up to $500); $100 to $750 is Class B (up to 180 days and $2,000); $750 to $2,500 is Class A (up to a year and $4,000).
  • Assault causing bodily injury: Class A, with a family-violence finding that can make a later offense a felony.
  • Criminal trespass: generally Class B, but Class A at a residence or when the person carries a deadly weapon.
  • First DWI: Class B, 72 hours to 180 days and up to $3,000; Class A at 0.15 or higher; a six-day minimum when an open container is found. Driver's license suspension, an alcohol education class, a possible ignition interlock and a state fine follow a conviction.

Outcomes range from dismissal or pretrial diversion to deferred adjudication, probation, fines or county jail time, and some people later qualify for an order of nondisclosure. A typical Jim Hogg misdemeanor is closed within two to six months.

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

Felony cases from Jim Hogg County are prosecuted by the 229th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which keeps an office in the Hebbronville courthouse, and are tried in the 229th District Court. The usual sequence is:

  1. Jail and magistrate. After booking at the Jim Hogg County Jail, the person goes before a magistrate within 48 hours. Under the Damon Allen Act, the magistrate looks at a public safety report, including criminal history, before deciding bail.
  2. Appointed counsel. Defendants who qualify are given a private lawyer appointed by the district judge under the 229th District's indigent defense plan, which the Texas Indigent Defense Commission helps fund. The request can be made at magistration or through the District Clerk at (361) 527-4031.
  3. Grand jury. The District Attorney presents the case to a Jim Hogg County grand jury. An indictment moves the case to district court; some defendants waive indictment to accept a plea offer sooner.
  4. The 90-day rule. A person held on a felony who is not indicted or whose case the State is not ready to try within 90 days is generally entitled to release on a personal bond or reduced bail, though violent charges are excepted.
  5. Resolution. Most cases settle with a plea bargain. A district court jury has 12 members whose verdict must be unanimous, and the defense can choose jury sentencing instead of sentencing by the judge.

Ranges of punishment

  • State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and up to $10,000 (theft of $2,500 to $30,000 is an example).
  • Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years; second-degree: 2 to 20 years, which covers burglary of a habitation and most aggravated assaults; first-degree: 5 to 99 years or life.
  • Drug cases: the degree turns on the penalty group and the weight. Loads found on the highways leading north from the border are frequently handed to federal prosecutors in Laredo instead.

Prior felony convictions raise the ranges, and "3g" offenses require serving half the sentence (at least two years) before parole eligibility. Deferred adjudication remains available for many first offenses. Jim Hogg felonies generally take between six months and a year and a half to resolve.

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

Serious violent crimes are rare in Jim Hogg County, and when they occur the Sheriff often calls in the Texas Rangers. The accused stays in the Jim Hogg County Jail unless the district judge sets a bail bond the family can meet. Personal bonds are not permitted for violent offenses, and Under a constitutional amendment Texas voters approved in 2025, judges in Jim Hogg County can deny bail in some violent-crime cases.

  • Capital murder: life without parole or death.
  • Murder: first degree, punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
  • Sexual assault: second degree (2 to 20 years); aggravated sexual assault is first degree, with a 25-year minimum for some child victims.
  • Aggravated robbery: first degree, 5 to 99 years or life.

Victims are guaranteed rights by article I, section 30 of the Texas Constitution, among them notice of hearings and a chance to speak at sentencing; the District Attorney's victim assistance staff handles those contacts. A capital defendant must receive lawyers who meet special qualification standards. From arrest to verdict, a violent felony in the 229th District Court often runs one to three years.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Jim Hogg County

The Texas juvenile system covers young people who were at least 10 and not yet 17 on the date of the offense. A 17-year-old arrested in Jim Hogg County is charged as an adult and booked into the Jim Hogg County Jail.

Court and intake

The county's juvenile board designates the juvenile court, which in a county of this size is typically the constitutional county court or the 229th District Court sitting in Hebbronville. Juvenile probation staff receive each referral from law enforcement and decide whether to release the child to a parent, offer an informal supervision agreement, or send the case to the prosecutor, who files a petition. The County Attorney commonly handles juvenile petitions here, though the District Attorney may take serious felonies.

Detention

There is no juvenile detention center in Jim Hogg County. A youth who has to be held is typically transported under contract to a regional detention facility elsewhere in South Texas, such as one in Laredo or the Corpus Christi area. A judge must hold a detention hearing within two working days and decides at each review whether the child can go home with conditions.

What can happen

  • Deferred prosecution or juvenile probation with requirements such as school attendance, curfew, counseling and restitution.
  • Commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), or a determinate sentence for the gravest offenses, which can be finished in adult prison.
  • Certification to stand trial as an adult, generally possible at 14 or older for capital and first-degree felonies (and certain aggravated drug felonies) and at 15 or older for other felonies, after a transfer hearing.

Every child has a right to a lawyer, and the court appoints one when the family's income is too low. A juvenile record is closed to the public in most situations, and the youth can usually ask to have it sealed later.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Jim Hogg County

Jim Hogg County belongs to the Laredo Division of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Anyone charged federally after an arrest near Hebbronville appears at the federal courthouse in Laredo, about an hour west on State Highway 359.

  • U.S. Courthouse, Laredo, 1300 Victoria Street, Laredo, TX 78040, (956) 723-3542
  • U.S. Attorney's Office, Laredo, P.O. Box 1179, Laredo, TX 78042, (956) 723-6523
  • Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas, or a court-appointed Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorney

Why so many cases are federal

Though the county does not touch the Rio Grande, it lies on the smuggling routes running inland from Starr and Zapata counties, and the Border Patrol maintains a large presence around Hebbronville. Human smuggling, harboring and transporting undocumented migrants, drug trafficking in vehicles and on ranch land, illegal reentry and weapons offenses make up most of the federal work that starts here.

How the federal process works

The first appearance is before a U.S. magistrate judge, who explains the charge and appoints counsel. A detention hearing, if the government asks for one, is usually held within three court days. Under the Bail Reform Act the judge either releases the defendant on conditions monitored by U.S. Pretrial Services or orders detention; federal judges do not use the money-based bail bondsman system found in state court. If the case began with a complaint, an indictment must follow within 30 days, and the Speedy Trial Act calls for trial within 70 days, a deadline often extended. Most defendants plead guilty; trials use a unanimous jury of 12.

Sentencing and custody

A probation officer writes a presentence report, and the judge considers the advisory Sentencing Guidelines along with any mandatory minimum, which drug and some smuggling statutes carry. There is no parole in the federal system: prisoners serve about 85 percent of the term in the Bureau of Prisons, followed by supervised release. Appeals are heard by the Fifth Circuit.

To locate someone in federal custody, search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator for a Jim Hogg County defendant by name or register number. A defendant awaiting trial in a county or private jail under a U.S. Marshals contract may also show up on that jail's own inmate roster. Federal charges against juveniles are uncommon.

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This guide gives a general picture of criminal cases in Jim Hogg County and is not legal advice. Court settings and phone numbers change, so check with the clerk before any hearing. Anyone charged with a crime should consult a defense attorney, and a person who cannot afford one can ask for appointed counsel at magistration or through the courthouse clerks at (361) 527-4031.

Criminal Court Process for Jim Hogg County Texas

Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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, Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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, Jim Hogg County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg 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.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Jim Hogg 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.