Court Settings

NOTICE: If you need to appear in court during this COVID-19 pandemic and are considered to be an individual in a vulnerable population, please contact the court so that we may arrange accommodations.

Initial Arraignment

Initial Arraignment is your first appearance in court after receiving a citation. This is the setting where you will be advised of your rights and given the options that are available to you. If you decide to plead not guilty, you will also be given a chance to speak with the prosecutor. Keep in mind the prosecutor represents the City of Webster, and will not act as your attorney.

If you wish to enter a plea of guilty or no contest and you do not fall into any of the categories listed below, you will most likely be able to handle your ticket in the court office before your court date.

You are only required to appear at arraignment for the following reasons:

You wish to enter a plea of Not Guilty
You are a juvenile (under 17 years of age)
You are a minor (under 21) charged with an alcohol related offense
You are a minor (under 18) charged with a tobacco related offense
You are charged with Assault by Contact - Family Violence

Pre-Trial

All individuals who enter a plea of not guilty and request a jury trial will be required to attend a pre-trial hearing. The pre-trial hearing is the deadline for you to file any motions concerning your case. At the pre-trial hearing, you will meet with the prosecutor and he will explain disposition options.

Please note, you do not have to explain your side to the prosecutor if you do not want to, as you have the right to remain silent. If you do choose to speak to the prosecutor, anything that you say may be used against you. In addition, you do not have to accept a plea bargain if one is offered, as you still have a right to a trial.

Failure to appear at the pre-trial conference may result in a failure to appear charge being filed against you and warrants for your arrest being issued.

Bench (Judge) Trial

A bench trial is a trial that is held in front of the Judge only.

You have the following rights in court:

The right to have a notice of the complaint not later than the day before any proceedings
The right to inspect the complaint before trial, and have it read to you at trial
The right to hear all testimony introduced against you
The right to cross-examine witnesses who testify against you
The right to testify in your behalf
The right not to testify, if you so desire. If you choose not to testify, your refusal to do so may not be held against you in determining your innocence or guilt
You may call witnesses to testify in your behalf at trial, and have the court issue a subpoena (a court order) to any witness to ensure his or her appearance at trial. The request for a subpoena must be in writing, directed to the Clerk of the Court at least three weeks prior to your trial date, and you must give the name, current address, and telephone number of each witness that you want subpoenaed.

Failure to appear at your trial may result in a failure to appear charge being filed against you and warrants for your arrest being issued.

If you defend yourself, please be advised that the Webster Municipal Court is a Court of Record. All proceedings will be conducted according to the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence. If you choose to represent yourself, you must be prepared. The court staff, bailiff, prosecuting attorney or Judge cannot act as your attorney by providing legal advice or legal assistance in the presentation of your case.

Jury Trial

If you choose to have the case tried before a jury, you have the same rights described in the bench trial section as well as the right to question jurors about their qualifications to hear your case. If you think that a juror will not be fair, impartial or unbiased, you may ask the judge for a challenge for cause to excuse the juror. The judge will decide whether to grant your request. In each jury trial, you are also permitted to strike three members of the jury panel for any reason you choose, except an illegal reason (such as based solely upon a person’s race or gender). This is referred to as a peremptory strike and each side has three peremptory strikes. Most jurors are selected from the first twelve members of the jury panel, as a municipal court jury is composed of six jurors.

Failure to appear at your trial may result in a failure to appear charge being filed against you and warrants for your arrest being issued.

Appeals

The Webster Municipal Court is a Court of Record; all judgments, may be appealed in certain circumstances in accordance with procedures established by Subchapter A, Chapter 30, Texas Government Code. Appeals are limited to a review of errors present in the record of the trial court. In order to file an appeal, you must do the following:

You must go to trial and a record of the trial must be made. Requests for the recording of the trial must be made in advance of the trial.
Judgment must be entered against you.
You must make a Motion for New Trial no later than the 10th day after the judgment.
If the Motion for New Trial is overruled, you must give notice of the appeal and post an appeal bond no later than the 10th day after the Motion for New Trial was overruled.
The appeal bond must be for double the amount of the fine and costs.
You must pay a $25.00 fee for the clerk’s record of the trial.
You must pay for the transcription of the proceedings.