Terrell County Jail Criminal Court Process

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Criminal Court Process for Terrell County Texas

Terrell County lies along the Rio Grande between Del Rio and the Big Bend, and Sanderson, an unincorporated town, is the county seat where the courthouse on East Hackberry Street sits. Because the county has no incorporated cities, there is no municipal court; Class C cases go to the single justice of the peace, and the County Judge hears Class A and B misdemeanors in the constitutional county court. Felonies are tried in the 63rd District Court, whose judge is based in Del Rio and serves Val Verde County as well. The Terrell County Attorney prosecutes misdemeanors and the 63rd District Attorney, also in Del Rio, prosecutes felonies. The county jail is very small, so arrested adults are often held at another county's facility.

  • Terrell County Courthouse (County Judge, County Court, County Attorney, District and County Clerk, 63rd District Court sessions), 105 E. Hackberry St., Sanderson, TX 79848, (432) 345-2421
  • Terrell County Attorney (misdemeanors), Sanderson, (432) 345-2914
  • 63rd District Attorney (felonies), Del Rio, (830) 775-0505
  • 63rd District Court, judge's office at 100 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor, Del Rio, TX 78840, (830) 774-7523
  • Terrell County District and County Clerk, Sanderson, (432) 345-2391
  • Terrell County Sheriff's Office, Sanderson, (432) 345-2525
  • Terrell County Jail, Sanderson (an eight-bed jail; the Sheriff confirms whether a prisoner is held here or elsewhere), (432) 345-2525

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, which carry only a fine (a speeding ticket on U.S. 90, public intoxication, theft under $100 or an assault with no injury), are filed in the Justice of the Peace court in Sanderson; with no incorporated town in the county, there is no municipal court. Class A and B misdemeanors, a first DWI among them, go to the Terrell County Court, presided over by the County Judge. A felony starts with magistrate warnings and a bail decision, then moves to the 63rd District Court once a Terrell County grand jury indicts.

Where pretrial inmates are held. The Sheriff runs the county's detention operations, but the Texas Commission on Jail Standards lists the Terrell County jail at only eight beds, and its January 2022 report showed no one housed there. In practice, people arrested in the county may be held for a short time locally and then moved to a larger jail under an agreement with another county. Call the Sheriff's Office at (432) 345-2525 to learn where a person is and how release works; cases are still heard in Sanderson.

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

Terrell County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, and its local court system is correspondingly small: one justice of the peace and the County Court, both in Sanderson. The justice of the peace also serves as the usual magistrate, reading warnings to people arrested in the county and setting bond.

Justice of the Peace court

  • Terrell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 (countywide), Sanderson, TX 79848, (432) 345-2341

Municipal courts

  • None. Sanderson and Dryden are unincorporated, so every Class C citation written in the county, whether by a deputy, a state trooper or a game warden, is filed in the justice court.

County court

  • Terrell County Court (constitutional county court; Class A and B misdemeanors and appeals from the justice court), Terrell County Courthouse, 105 E. Hackberry St., Sanderson, TX 79848; County Judge (432) 345-2421; District and County Clerk (432) 345-2391

Most justice court cases are traffic citations from U.S. 90 and State Highway 349. A person who gets a citation can pay it, ask about a driving safety course or deferred disposition, or plead not guilty and set a trial before a six-person jury or the judge. Offices in Sanderson keep limited hours, so call before making the trip. A defendant unhappy with a justice court judgment can usually appeal to the County Court for a new trial within 10 days.

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

An arrest for a Class A or B misdemeanor in Terrell County begins with booking by the Sheriff's Office, either at the small Terrell County Jail or at a contract jail elsewhere. Within 48 hours a magistrate, usually the justice of the peace, explains the charge and the right to a lawyer.

Getting out

The magistrate sets bail, which may be posted in cash, through a licensed bondsman, or by a personal bond on the defendant's written promise to appear. Because travel distances are long, conditions such as reporting by phone are sometimes used. If the State is not ready for trial, a jailed defendant generally must be released on a personal bond or a reduced amount after 30 days on a Class A charge or 15 days on a Class B.

In the County Court

The Terrell County Attorney decides whether to file an information. The County Judge hears the case, and a jury, if requested, has six members who must agree unanimously. Defendants who cannot afford a lawyer can ask the magistrate or the County Judge's office at (432) 345-2421 for appointed counsel; the county appoints private attorneys under its indigent defense plan filed with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, and in a county this size the lawyer may come from Del Rio, Fort Stockton or Alpine.

What the charges carry

  • Theft of $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 is Class A, and a family-violence finding can affect gun rights and future charges.
  • Criminal trespass is ordinarily Class B; it becomes Class A at a home or with a deadly weapon. Trespass on ranch land is a common local charge.
  • A first DWI is Class B with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $3,000; a breath or blood result of 0.15 or more raises it to Class A, and an open container sets a six-day minimum. License suspension and DWI education usually follow, and an ignition interlock may be ordered.

Outcomes include dismissal, pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication, probation, fines or jail time. A case usually takes two to six months; some people later qualify for an order of nondisclosure.

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

Felony cases from Terrell County are prosecuted by the 63rd District Attorney's Office in Del Rio and heard by the 63rd District Court, which holds sessions in Sanderson on a set schedule. Highway stops on U.S. 90 produce many of the county's drug cases.

  1. Booking and warnings. The Sheriff books the defendant at the Terrell County Jail or a contract jail. A magistrate gives the article 15.17 warnings within 48 hours and sets bail after a public safety report is prepared.
  2. A lawyer. The 63rd District Court appoints private counsel for defendants who cannot afford one. Ask at magistration or call the District and County Clerk at (432) 345-2391.
  3. Indictment. A Terrell County grand jury hears the evidence. If a jailed defendant's case is not ready within 90 days, the law generally requires release on personal bond or a lower bail, with exceptions for violent offenses.
  4. Resolution. Most felonies end in a plea agreement. Otherwise a 12-member jury decides guilt unanimously, and the defendant may elect to have the jury set punishment.

Sentencing ranges

  • State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail.
  • Third degree: a Sanderson jury or judge can assess 2 to 10 years.
  • Second degree: 2 to 20 years, which covers home burglary and the usual aggravated assault charge.
  • First degree: anywhere from 5 years to 99 or life; at every felony level a fine of as much as $10,000 may be added.

Drug charges depend on the penalty group and weight, and quantities found in a vehicle can quickly reach first-degree levels. Prior felonies can raise the range. Deferred adjudication or probation is a frequent offer for someone with no record. Prison inmates are usually parole-eligible after about a quarter of the sentence, but "3g" offenses require half, with a two-year minimum. Because the district judge rides circuit from Del Rio, a typical felony here runs six to eighteen months.

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

Serious violent crime is uncommon in a county of under a thousand residents. When it happens, the Sheriff's Office typically brings in the Texas Rangers, the 63rd District Attorney handles the prosecution, and the defendant is usually held outside the county, since the Terrell County Jail is not built for long pretrial stays.

A personal bond is not allowed for a violent offense under the 2021 Damon Allen Act, and bail is usually set high. On top of that, a 2025 constitutional amendment approved by Texas voters lets judges deny bail outright in some violent-crime cases.

  • Capital murder: life without parole, or the death penalty if the State seeks it.
  • Murder: a first-degree felony, punished by 5 to 99 years or life.
  • Sexual assault: second degree, 2 to 20 years; aggravated sexual assault: first degree, with a 25-year minimum for certain young victims.
  • Aggravated robbery: first degree, with parole eligibility only after half the term.

Appointed lawyers in these cases must meet state qualification standards, and capital cases draw on specialized counsel. Victims have the rights listed in article I, section 30 of the Texas Constitution. A violent felony often takes one to three years, and a change of venue is sometimes sought when a case is well known in the community.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Terrell County

In Terrell County, as across Texas, juvenile court handles offenses committed by children aged 10 through 16. Someone who was 17 at the time of the offense is charged as an adult in the courts described above.

Juvenile court and intake. The county's juvenile board designates the juvenile court, which in Terrell County is typically the County Court or the 63rd District Court. A juvenile probation officer serving the county handles intake, notifies parents and decides whether to release the child or refer the case for a petition, which the prosecutor (generally the County Attorney) files.

Detention. Terrell County has no juvenile detention center. A youth who must be held is typically taken to a regional facility under contract, such as a detention center in Del Rio or another West Texas city. A judge holds a detention hearing within two working days. Juveniles do not post bail; the judge decides whether release to a parent is safe.

Outcomes. Many cases end with deferred prosecution or probation. Repeat or serious cases can lead to placement outside the home or commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), and determinate sentencing for grave offenses can carry a term that continues in adult prison.

Adult certification. After a hearing, the court may waive jurisdiction and send a case to adult court, generally only for a youth 14 or older charged with a capital felony, a first-degree felony or certain aggravated drug felonies, or 15 or older for any other felony. Youths have a right to an attorney, appointed if necessary. Records of juvenile cases stay confidential, and many of them qualify for sealing later.

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

Terrell County is a border county, and federal cases are far more common here than its population suggests. Under federal law it belongs to the Del Rio Division of the Western District of Texas, so cases are heard at the federal courthouse in Del Rio, about 120 miles east of Sanderson.

  • U.S. District Court, Del Rio (clerk's office), 111 E. Broadway, Room L100, Del Rio, TX 78840, (830) 703-2054
  • U.S. Attorney's Office, Del Rio, 111 East Broadway, Room A306, Del Rio, TX 78840, (830) 703-2025
  • Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas (it has a Del Rio office), or a private lawyer appointed from the Criminal Justice Act panel

Immigration, human smuggling and drug trafficking cases dominate. Many begin with Border Patrol arrests along the Rio Grande or at checkpoints, and typical charges include illegal reentry after removal, transporting people who entered unlawfully, and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. Firearms cases also arise.

After an arrest, the defendant goes before a federal magistrate judge, who can appoint counsel. No commercial bail bond is used in federal court: under the Bail Reform Act the judge either releases the defendant on conditions monitored by Pretrial Services or orders detention after a hearing that usually takes place within three court days. When a case begins by complaint, the grand jury must indict within 30 days, and trial is due within 70 days under the Speedy Trial Act unless time is excluded. Most defendants plead guilty. Trial juries have 12 members and must be unanimous. Probation officers prepare a presentence report, and the judge then applies the advisory Guidelines and any mandatory minimum. There is no federal parole; prisoners serve about 85 percent of the term in the Bureau of Prisons, then supervised release. Appeals are heard by the Fifth Circuit.

Families trying to locate a federal prisoner from Terrell County can use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator and search by name or register number. A pretrial detainee held in a county jail under a Marshals contract may also show up on that jail's roster. Juvenile cases are rarely brought in federal court.

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This guide summarizes how criminal cases move through the courts serving Terrell County and is not legal advice. Court dates and procedures change, so confirm details with the clerk. A person who cannot afford a lawyer can request one at magistration, or by calling the County Judge at (432) 345-2421 for a misdemeanor or the District and County Clerk at (432) 345-2391 for a felony.

Criminal Court Process for Terrell County Texas

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

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