Kenedy County Jail Criminal Court Process

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Kenedy County

Criminal Court Process for Kenedy County Texas

Kenedy County, a vast ranching county of only a few hundred residents between Kingsville and the Rio Grande Valley, has its county seat in the small unincorporated community of Sarita. Class C cases go to one of four justice of the peace courts, Class A and B misdemeanors to the constitutional County Court under the County Judge, and felonies to the 105th District Court. The Kenedy County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanors, while felonies are handled by the 105th District Attorney, an office based in Kingsville that also serves Kleberg County. Kenedy County has no jail, so adults arrested here are held in another county's jail under the Sheriff's arrangements.

  • Kenedy County Courthouse (County Judge, County Court), 101 E. La Parra Ave., Sarita, TX 78385 (mail: P.O. Box 8), (361) 294-5224
  • Kenedy County District and County Clerk (105th District Court and County Court records), Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5220
  • Kenedy County Attorney, Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5292
  • 105th District Attorney (Kenedy and Kleberg counties), Kingsville, TX, (361) 595-8544
  • Kenedy County Sheriff's Office, Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5205

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, the fine-only offenses such as most traffic tickets on U.S. 77, public intoxication, theft of less than $100 and assault without bodily injury, are filed with the justice of the peace for the precinct where the offense took place; Kenedy County has no incorporated city and therefore no municipal court. Class A and B misdemeanors, a first DWI included, are heard in the Kenedy County Court, where the County Judge presides because there is no county court at law. Felonies begin with magistrate warnings from a justice of the peace and are tried in the 105th District Court after a Kenedy County grand jury indicts.

Where pretrial inmates are held. State jail-standards reports list Kenedy County with no jail beds of its own, yet the county still averages a handful of people in custody at any time because of arrests along the U.S. 77 corridor. Those prisoners are kept at the jail that serves Kenedy County under contract with a neighboring county, and the Sheriff's Office at (361) 294-5205 can say where a particular person has been taken and how to arrange bail. Court appearances still take place in Sarita.

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

For a county with so few residents, Kenedy keeps an unusually busy set of justice courts. Traffic and other citations written by state troopers and deputies on U.S. 77, the main highway between Corpus Christi and the Valley, make up much of the work. All four justices of the peace sit in Sarita, and each can act as a magistrate, issuing warrants and setting bond for people arrested in the county.

Justice of the Peace courts

  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, 139 N. Main St., Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5785
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, 139 N. Main St., Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5298
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, 139 N. Main St., Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5786
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, 139 N. Main St., Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5787

The citation shows which precinct court the case was filed in. Many drivers stopped in Kenedy County live elsewhere, and the justice courts can explain options such as paying a fine, requesting a driving safety course or deferral, or setting the case for trial.

Municipal courts

Kenedy County has no incorporated cities, so there are no municipal courts. Sarita and Armstrong are unincorporated communities, and every Class C case filed in the county goes to a justice of the peace.

County and district courts

  • Kenedy County Court (County Judge; Class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from the justice courts), 101 E. La Parra Ave., Sarita, TX 78385, (361) 294-5224
  • 105th District Court (felonies), sitting in Sarita for Kenedy County cases; files kept by the District and County Clerk, (361) 294-5220

An appeal from a justice court conviction goes to the County Court for a new trial and must be filed within a short period after judgment.

↑ Back to the top of the Kenedy County court guide

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

A jailable misdemeanor arrest in Kenedy County means transport to the out-of-county contract jail, a magistrate hearing, and then a case in the County Court in Sarita prosecuted by the County Attorney, (361) 294-5292. Because many people arrested here are traveling through, out-of-town defendants should plan on returning to Sarita for court dates.

Getting released

A magistrate must see the arrested person within 48 hours, explain the charge and rights, take any request for a court-appointed lawyer, and set bail. Release can be on a cash deposit, a surety bond from a licensed bondsman, or a personal bond. The magistrate can attach conditions, for example an ignition interlock after a DWI arrest.

In County Court

The County Attorney files an information, and the County Judge sets the case on the court's docket. Defendants can negotiate a plea, try the case to the judge, or ask for a six-person jury, which must be unanimous and can also decide punishment if the defendant elects it. Possible results are dismissal, pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication, probation, a fine or a jail sentence.

Ranges for the listed offenses

  • Theft: Class C under $100; Class B at $100 to under $750, up to 180 days and $2,000; Class A at $750 to under $2,500, up to one year and $4,000.
  • First DWI: Class B with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $3,000, although first offenders are often placed on probation. An alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more makes it Class A, and having an open container sets a six-day minimum. A conviction also brings a license suspension, a DWI education requirement and a state fine; the administrative license suspension is a separate matter with a short window to request a hearing.
  • Assault causing bodily injury: Class A, up to a year in jail; a family violence finding brings additional consequences.
  • Criminal trespass: Class B, which becomes Class A for a habitation or when a deadly weapon is carried.

Misdemeanors here usually take two to six months. To ask about an appointed lawyer, tell the magistrate or call the County Judge's office at (361) 294-5224.

↑ Back to the top of the Kenedy County court guide

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

Felony cases from Kenedy County are prosecuted by the 105th District Attorney, (361) 595-8544, and heard by the 105th District Court when it sits in Sarita. Highway drug seizures make up a meaningful share of the county's felony docket.

  1. Magistration. Within 48 hours the arrested person appears before a magistrate, who sets bail and conditions and records any request for appointed counsel.
  2. Grand jury review. The District Attorney presents the evidence to a Kenedy County grand jury, which meets in secret and decides whether to indict. A defendant may agree to waive indictment to resolve the case sooner.
  3. District court proceedings. After indictment the defendant is arraigned, receives the State's discovery, and may file motions, such as a challenge to the legality of a traffic stop.
  4. Plea bargain or trial. A large majority of cases end in a plea agreement. A felony jury has 12 members who must agree unanimously, and the defendant may ask the jury to decide the sentence.

Ranges of punishment

  • State jail felony: confinement of 180 days to 2 years and a fine up to $10,000; theft of $2,500 to under $30,000 belongs here.
  • Third-degree felony: two to ten years in prison.
  • Second-degree felony: from two up to twenty years; burglary of a home and the usual aggravated assault charge are in this class.
  • First-degree felony: five to 99 years, or a life sentence.
  • Drug possession or delivery: depends on the substance's penalty group and weight; large seizures can be first-degree felonies.

Prior convictions can raise the punishment level, and deferred adjudication is often available to a first offender. Parole eligibility generally begins after one-quarter of a prison sentence including good time, while "3g" offenses require half, with a two-year minimum. A felony case commonly takes six to eighteen months. Indigent defendants receive a private lawyer appointed by the 105th District Court under the county's indigent defense plan, filed with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; make the request at magistration or through the clerk at (361) 294-5220.

↑ Back to the top of the Kenedy County court guide

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

Violent crimes are rare in Kenedy County, but when one is charged the Sheriff's Office typically brings in the Texas Rangers, and the 105th District Attorney handles the prosecution. Bail is usually set high, Texas law rules out personal bonds for violent offenses, and under the 2025 amendment to the Texas Constitution judges may deny bail outright in some violent-crime cases. A defendant who cannot be released remains in the jail that serves Kenedy County.

  • Capital murder: either the death penalty or life in prison with no parole.
  • Murder: first degree, punished by a term of five to 99 years or by life imprisonment.
  • Sexual assault: second degree, plus sex offender registration. Aggravated sexual assault is first degree and carries a 25-year minimum for certain offenses against children.
  • Aggravated robbery: a first-degree "3g" offense; parole cannot be considered until half of the sentence has been served.

Under article I, section 30 of the Texas Constitution, victims are entitled to be informed of proceedings, to confer with the prosecutor and to speak at sentencing. Serious violent cases tend to take one to three years. A judge may move a trial to another county if an impartial jury cannot be found in a community this small. Lawyers appointed in a capital case must meet stricter statewide qualification standards.

↑ Back to the top of the Kenedy County court guide

Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Kenedy County

The Texas juvenile system covers children who were 10 to 16 years old when the alleged offense was committed. Seventeen-year-olds are prosecuted as adults.

Who handles the case

A juvenile probation officer serving Kenedy County performs intake, decides whether a child may be released to a parent, and recommends how the case should proceed. Petitions are filed by the prosecutor, generally the Kenedy County Attorney, (361) 294-5292. The juvenile court is the court designated by the county's juvenile board, either the County Court or the 105th District Court; the clerk at (361) 294-5220 can tell a family which court has the case.

Detention

There is no juvenile detention center in Kenedy County. A youth who must be held is typically placed in a certified regional detention facility, such as one in the Kingsville or Corpus Christi area, under contract. A detention hearing must be held within two working days, and the child is entitled to a lawyer, appointed at no cost if the family cannot pay.

Outcomes

  • Deferred prosecution or informal supervision for a first, less serious offense.
  • Probation, possibly including placement outside the home.
  • For felony conduct, a commitment to a secure state facility of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).
  • Determinate sentencing for certain grave offenses.

For serious felonies, a prosecutor may ask to certify the child as an adult, generally at age 14 or older for capital and first-degree felonies and certain aggravated drug felonies, and at 15 or older for other felonies. Juvenile records are confidential and can usually be sealed later.

↑ Back to the top of the Kenedy County court guide

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

Kenedy County is in the Corpus Christi Division of the Southern District of Texas. Although the county does not touch the Rio Grande, U.S. 77 passes a permanent Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita, and federal cases from the county are dominated by border-related charges: human smuggling, drug trafficking found at the checkpoint, and immigration offenses.

  • Federal courthouse and district clerk, Corpus Christi Division, 1133 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi 78401, (361) 888-3142
  • Southern District U.S. Attorney, Corpus Christi branch, Suite 500, 800 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi 78401, (361) 888-3111
  • Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas, or a private lawyer appointed from the Criminal Justice Act panel

How a checkpoint case unfolds

When Border Patrol agents find undocumented passengers or drugs in a vehicle at the checkpoint, the driver is usually charged by federal complaint and taken before a U.S. magistrate judge in Corpus Christi. Federal court has no commercial bail bonds; the magistrate judge applies the Bail Reform Act and either releases the defendant on conditions monitored by U.S. Pretrial Services or keeps the defendant in custody; when prosecutors ask for detention, the hearing normally takes place within three court days. Defendants who are not U.S. citizens are often detained.

An indictment must be returned within 30 days of an arrest on a complaint, and the Speedy Trial Act calls for trial within 70 days, though delays are common. Most cases end with a guilty plea. Sentencing follows a presentence report and the advisory Guidelines, and drug quantities can trigger mandatory minimum terms. With no federal parole, prisoners generally serve about 85 percent of the sentence before supervised release. A unanimous 12-person jury decides any trial, and appeals go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Finding someone in federal custody

A sentenced prisoner from Kenedy County can be found on the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator with a name or register number. People awaiting trial on federal charges may be housed in a county or contract jail used by the U.S. Marshals Service, and they may appear on that facility's inmate roster too. Federal prosecution of juveniles is uncommon even in smuggling cases.

↑ Back to the top of the Kenedy County court guide

This page describes the criminal process in Kenedy County for general information only; it is not legal advice, and offices, phone numbers and schedules change. To request a court-appointed lawyer, ask the magistrate or call the County Judge's office at (361) 294-5224 for a misdemeanor or the District and County Clerk at (361) 294-5220 for a felony.

Criminal Court Process for Kenedy County Texas

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

Human-verified information Manually curated

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.