The County Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecution of Class A, B and C misdemeanors in a variety of courts. In addition to the prosecution of these criminal offenses the County Attorney also serves as the legal counsel on civil matters to Kendall County Commissioners Court, elected officials and department heads.

Although the County Attorney is not authorized to represent individual citizens in most civil matters, numerous requests for assistance are received each year from the general public. When possible, referrals to appropriate agencies are provided.

The County Attorney will schedule meetings with individuals or groups on request to answer legal questions involving Kendall County upon review of completed Information Request Form.

KEY COURT PERSONNEL

Key court personnel include judges, prosecutors, clerks, and probation officers. In most cases, the Court Clerk provides a wide base of information on court procedures.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT ONE
Larry James
201 E. San Antonio St. Suite #101
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-9343
Fax (830) 249-7046
larry.james@co.kendall.tx.us

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT TWO
Jerry Collins
32824 IH 10 West
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-8404
Fax (830) 249-8408

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT THREE
Debby Hudson
10A Staudt Street
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-2820
Fax (830) 249-1544
cindy.silva@co.kendall.tx.us

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT FOUR
Frieda Pressler
P. O. Box 645
Comfort, Texas 78013
Telephone (830) 995-2031
Fax (830) 995-5181
leepres@hctc.net

COUNTY COURT AT LAW

Court Clerk:
Darlene Herrin, County Clerk
201 E. San Antonio Street, Suite 127
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-9343
Fax (830) 249-3472
darlene.herrin@co.kendall.tx.us

Court Judge:
Bill Palmer, Judge
201 E. San Antonio Street, Suite 218
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-9343

Lead County Prosecutor:
Taylor E. Hamilton, Assistant County Attorney
201 E. San Antonio Street, Suite 306
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-9343
Fax (830) 249-4176
taylor.hamilton@co.kendall.tx.us

Juvenile Probation Office:
Joanne Bradley
204 E. San Antonio Street
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-9343
Fax (830) 249-3379
joanne.bradley@co.kendall.tx.us

Adult Probation Office:
Grace San Miguel
Community Supervision and Corrections Department
10 Staudt Street
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-6857
Fax (830) 249-6927

216th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

Court Clerk:
Shirley Stehling, District Clerk
201 E. San Antonio Street, Suite 201
Boerne, Texas 78006
Telephone (830) 249-9343
Fax (830) 249-1763
shirley.stehling@co.kendall.tx.us

Court Judge:
Keith Williams, Judge
700 Main Street
Kerrville, Texas 78028-5389
Telephone (830) 792-2290
Fax (830) 792-2294

Court Prosecutors:
Bruce Curry, District Attorney
521 Earl Garrett
Kerrville, Texas 78028
Telephone (830) 896-4744
Fax (830) 896-2620

Lucy Cavazos, Assistant District Attorney
521 Earl Garrett
Kerrville, Texas 78028
Telephone (830) 896-4744
Fax (830) 896-2620

Steve Wadsworth, Assistant District Attorney
521 Earl Garrett
Kerrville, Texas 78028
Telephone (830) 896-4744
Fax (830) 896-2620

Joe Davis, Assistant District Attorney
521 Earl Garrett
Kerrville, Texas 78028
Telephone (830) 896-4744
Fax (830) 896-2620

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COUNTY COURT AT LAW

Persons age 17 and older who commit misdemeanor offenses in Kendall County are prosecuted in the County Court at Law. Typically, the person is arrested and posts a bond, and the person is summoned to court.

Basic County Court At Law Procedures

Arraignment: At arraignment the defendant is identified, advised of the charge against him, advised of the maximum penalty, advised of constitutional rights, and enters a plea of "guilty" or "not guilty". On a plea of "guilty", a fine, court costs, and supervision terms are assessed. "Not guilty" pleas are set for pretrial.

Pretrial: During the pretrial period, the defense attorney will seek information about the State's case and prepare a defense.

Trial: If the case is not resolved during the pretrial period, it is scheduled for trial. The trial may be in front of the judge alone (Bench Trial) or include a jury of six impartial local citizens (Jury Trial). After the evidence has been presented by the State and the Defense, the judge or jury renders its verdict of "guilty" or "not guilty".

Probation (Community Supervision): When a person is found guilty of an offense, in most circumstances they are placed on probation. They report to a supervision officer, pay off their fine and court costs, attend rehabilitative programs, and perform community service.

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JUVENILE COURT

Violation of law by juvenile children younger than the age of 17 is referred to the Juvenile Court. All children must be represented by an attorney. If the child's family cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed.

Basic Juvenile Court Procedures:

Adjudication Hearing: A hearing to determine whether or not the child committed the alleged conduct.

Disposition Hearing: Upon a true finding that the child committed the conduct, this hearing will determine what consequences the court will assess.

Probation: The child may be released under the supervision of the Juvenile Probation Office. The child will obey all supervision terms or face detention.

Detention: In serious cases, the court may order the child detained for a length of time at local facilities or a facility of the Texas Youth Commission http://www.tyc.state.tx.us/

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JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS

There are four Justices of the Peace elected by precinct in Kendall County. Precinct Boundaries Map

A Justice of the Peace may issue warrants for search and arrest, conduct preliminary hearings, administers oaths, perform marriages and serve as a coroner. The justice courts function as small claims courts in civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is not in district or county court and the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000. They can also deal with matters concerning foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens on personal property.

Justice of the peace courts have original jurisdiction in criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only and such other jurisdiction as may be provided by law.

The County Attorney prosecutes traffic tickets, school failure to attend and animal seizures. Traffic tickets are filed in the precinct of the offense. Contact the Judge whose name appears on the citation.

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Justice of the Peace Courts Procedures for Class C Misdemeanors

Payment of ticket: Payment of traffic citations or other Class C misdemeanor charges are made to the individual Justice of the Peace Office. Follow the instructions provided by the Justice of the Peace or on the citation.

Requesting deferred disposition by defensive driving course: In most cases, a person is eligible to clear a "moving violation" traffic ticket with a defensive driving course under the following conditions:

• A plea of guilty or no contest is entered in person or in writing to the Justice of the Peace before the answer date and a request is made to take the course. A $10 administrative fee is required in addition to applicable court costs.
• The person must have a valid Texas driver's license.
• For speeding offenses, the person must not have exceeded 25 miles over the posted speed limit.
• The person must not have taken a defensive course to clear a ticket within the past twelve months.
• Defensive Driving and/or Deferred Adjudication is prohibited for holders of a commercial driver’s license.

Note that other criteria also apply. Please check with your Justice of the Peace for full conditions.

Contested cases: When a person enters a plea of "not guilty", the Justice of the Peace will refer the case to the County Attorney for trial. The County Attorney will review the merits of the case, talk with law enforcement, notify the defendant of the State's final plea bargain offer, and prepare for trial.

Trial: If the case is not resolved, the case will be set for trial. In most cases, the trial is held in front of the Justice of the Peace known as a Bench Trial. The defendant may also request a trial by a jury of six persons known as a Jury Trial. The law enforcement officer alleging the violation will testify at the trial. The defendant may appear alone or by attorney and should be prepared to present his defense to the court.

Failure to Attend: When a child fails to attend school, the Justice of the Peace summons both child and parent to court and may issue sanctions against each party. For habitual cases, the County Attorney will seek enforcement of school attendance requirements through prosecution of both child and parents in the Juvenile and Justice Courts.

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