A Defendant in Harris County

I focus my criminal defense practice on Harris County cases. My office is located three blocks from the courthouse.

What follows is a brief guide to Harris County prosecutions.

AFTER THE ARREST

Typically, a person arrested in Harris County will be taken to the Joint Processing Center at 700 San Jacinto. An arrested person typically will appear in front of a magistrate judge within 48 hours and a bond will be set.

If the bond amount seems reasonable, you can post it for your friend or family member at 49 San Jacinto or contact a bonding company to post the bond in exchange for a fee.

In some felony cases, the bond might be set high or no bond may be set. Then you will need a lawyer to approach the district judge to set a bond.

To search for a Harris County defendant or to read information about posting a bond in person, use this link found here on the Sheriff’s website.

FIRST COURT SETTINGS

Usually, a person arrested for a felony will have a court date on the first or second weekday following the arrest.

Misdemeanors court dates are typically within one week of the arrest.

At the first court setting, you will not plead guilty or not guilty. Rather the judge or court coordinator will find out if you have hired an attorney, appoint an attorney if you cannot afford one, or reset your case for a couple of weeks so that you can hire an attorney.

The court might also impose bond conditions on you. For example, you could be drug-tested while on bond. It is imperative to follow the court’s order or you could forfeit your bond and sit out the resolution of your case in jail.

SUBSEQUENT COURT SETTINGS

In Harris County, depending on the court, you will appear every three weeks to two months for a court setting. Usually, you will not appear in front of the judge during your court settings.

Rather, your lawyer will meet with the prosecutor and check the state’s file. You may have multiple court settings over several months while your lawyer investigates the state’s case and negotiates for a resolution. The state might also be gathering evidence.

DISMISS, PLEA, OR TRIAL

Eventually, the state will either dismiss the case or offer a plea bargain. If the case is not dismissed, a defendant, based on the advice of their lawyer, must make the choice whether to accept a plea bargain or set the case for trial.

In some courts, trial dates are soon as 30 days while others are years out.

Feel free to contact me if you are seeking representation for a Harris County case.