Docket Types

Arraignments

The arraignment (initial setting) is for you to enter your plea, set your case for either a judge or jury trial, request the driving safety course, etc. Regular arraignments are generally scheduled on the 1st and the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Pretrials

Pretrials are generally scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Pretrial Conference (Optional)

The request for a Pretrial Conference must be made in writing. The Pretrial Conference is an opportunity for you or your attorney to look at the complaint filed by the state. You or your attorney must make any pretrial motions at this time.

Pretrial Plea Negotiations & Requests

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 driving safety class (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.

Trials

At this setting, the state will present the case and you or your attorney will have an opportunity to defend your case before a judge or jury (depending on your initial request). Both sides will have an opportunity to call and present witnesses.

Trial by Judge

The judge 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 1 person, the judge, and the judge will render a judgment of guilt or innocence and decide punishment.

Trials by a judge are generally scheduled on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Trial by Jury

A jury trial is a formal proceeding that allows the case to be heard by a jury of 6 people from the City of El Lago, Texas. Jury trials are scheduled on an as-needed basis.