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  • Effective as of February 1, 2023

    Attention: Defendants and Attorneys representing Defendants

     

    Arraignment court dates to be assigned to multiple courts

    With the creation of the San Patricio County Court at Law No. 2 the criminal court docket will be split between the respective courts. 

    Cause numbers ending with a - A will be assigned to CCAL No. 1

    Cause numbers ending with a - B will be assigned to CCAL No. 2

    Defendants with multiple cases that are filed shall be assigned to one court.  The Court assigned the defendant's first cause number filed will be assigned the later filed causes notwithstanding the case number ending.

    Operational procedures for County Court at Law No. 1

    Attorney information:

    Attorneys representing Defendants should e-file a Notice of Appearance of Counsel and provide a courtesy copy to the Court.  If you and your client wish to be excused from making an appearance, then you also need to e-file a Waiver of Arraignment 72 hours prior to the Arraignment Court Date. If you file the proper documents timely, then the Defendant and Attorney are excused from making an appearance and a copy of the Pre-Trial court date will be mailed to you at the address provided in your Notice of Appearance of Counsel. ** If you are a court-appointed attorney who received the appointment prior to the arraignment date, then you do not need to make an appearance and a copy of the Defendant's Pre-Trial court date will be mailed to you.

    Prose Defendants

    Prior to your appearance for arraignment, you will need to review the San Patricio County Court at Law’s Arraignment Information Advisory and be prepared on your court date to make a decision about how you want to handle your case.  You will need to either (1) hire an attorney to represent you; (2) sign a “Waiver of Attorney” and speak with the County Attorney; or (3) Request a Court-Appointed attorney from the San Patricio Pre-Trial Services Office. 

      The information provided below is what you need to know about your case.

    • The San Patricio County Attorney has officially charged you with a criminal offense.  Cases filed in the County Court at Law are Class A or Class B misdemeanor criminal offenses.
    • Class A misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $4,000.00 and/or up to 1 year in the County Jail.
    • Class B misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00 and/or up to 180 days in the County Jail.
    • All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.  It is the County Attorney’s responsibility to prove the allegations of the charge/charges that you have been charged with.
    • You have an absolute right to a Trial and a Jury Trial.
    • You have an absolute right to be represented by an attorney. If you cannot financially afford an attorney and you want an attorney to represent you in this case, you may request a court-appointed attorney.  To apply for a court-appointed attorney, please contact the San Patricio County Pre-Trial Services Office @ 361-364-4243, Ext. 251 or 253; email Pre-Trial Services at: sanpatpretrial@gmail.com
    • If you want to represent yourself and speak directly with the County Attorney’s office, you will have that option on your arraignment day.  On your arraignment day you will be required to sign a Waiver of Attorney.  Please understand you can withdraw the Waiver of Attorney at any time for any reason.  You are under no obligation to reach any type of agreement.

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