ARRAIGNMENT
The arraignment (initial setting) is for you to learn your options e.g. pay fine, set your case for either a Judge or Jury Trial, request the mandatory Driving Safety Course, etc.
You may appear in person or by attorney at least two (2) working days before your arraignment date to set your case for trial at any of the Court locations. No rescheduling will be allowed within 2 working days of the court date.
If you are eligible, the Judge must grant you an opportunity to take a Driving Safety Course (DSC) and have your case dismissed if you comply with the Court’s order. You or your attorney must request this on or before arraignment or your first appearance. If you do not request DSC at that time, the Judge will not be obliged to allow you to take the DSC at a later setting to have your case dismissed.
This arraignment setting cannot be reset.
You may plead guilty at arraignment and the Judge will assess a fine at that time.
You or your attorney, may appear at arraignment, plead not guilty, and request a Judge or Jury Trial on one or all of your cases.
If you request a Trial, you or your attorney may request an optional Pre-Trial Conference to discuss your case with a prosecutor.
PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE (Optional)
The Pre-trial Conference is an opportunity for you or your attorney to look at the complaint filed by the State.
With proper documentation, your attorney may represent you, without your presence, at this setting.
You or your attorney must make any pre-trial motions at this time.
You will be allowed to discuss any plea negotiations with a prosecutor and reach any agreements in exchange for a plea of guilty or no contest and dispose of your case at this setting.
If you wish to take a discretionary DSC or request a Deferred Disposition, you must request it at this time. The Judge is not obligated to grant this request.
If agreements cannot be reached, you will be given a date to return for your Judge or Jury Trial.
TRIAL
To view this week's trial dockets, click on the day of the week
At this setting, the State will present the case and you or your attorney will have an opportunity to defend your case, depending on your initial request, before a Judge or a Jury.
Both sides will have an opportunity to call and present witnesses.
A Jury Trial is a formal proceeding that allows the case to be heard by a Jury of six (6) people from Houston, Texas. They will decide the facts and render a judgment of guilt or innocence and decide punishment.
A Judge Trial simply allows both the State and the defendant to present their side of the case to one person, the Judge, and the Judge will render a judgment of guilt or innocence and decide punishment.
Plea of “Not Guilty” By Mail You have a right to a jury trial, unless you waive that right and request a judge trial. By setting your case for trial you are giving up your right to require that your case be dismissed through a mandatory Driving Safety Course. If you wish to request a judge trial, please fill out the form, Plea of “Not Guilty” By Mail, below.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The defendant does not have to testify or present witnesses.
The State has the burden of proof of guilt.
The State is always represented by a lawyer.
A defendant may represent himself at Trial, or be represented by an attorney licensed by the State of Texas.
A defendant representing him/herself will be treated as if he/she is a lawyer and is held to the same strict rules of evidence and procedure that a lawyer and the Judge are bound by.
