The process through which criminal charges are filed against a defendant is governed by rules and procedures that ensure efficiency and protect the defendant’s constitutional rights. For felony charges in Texas, this process involves a grand jury indictment.
The Grand Jury Indictment Process
Unlike misdemeanor charges, which are brought on by an “information” and complaint, felony charges must be brought on by a grand jury indictment, meaning the charge(s) must be brought before a grand jury of 12 jurors, who then submit a vote on the charges.
The prosecutor—the attorney for the State—is tasked with persuading the jury that probable cause is established. He or she will typically do this by explaining the law that pertains to the offense to the jurors. The jury can then obtain and review the evidence and even question witnesses if it feels it is necessary to come to a vote. The prosecutor must persuade nine out of the 12 jurors. If at least nine votes for the indictment, the prosecutor can continue with filing the charges, which is called a “true bill.” Unless nine jurors are persuaded, the prosecutor cannot go through with the charges, which is called a “no bill.” The indictment itself is a statement written by the jury that accuses the alleged offender of the crime.
Indictment Proceedings
The grand jury is just one step in the criminal prosecution process. These proceedings are a little less formal than criminal trial proceedings in that they are closed to the public, confidential, and exclude the defendant. But, similar to a jury trial, the proceedings and testimony are recorded for the court’s record, and the prosecutor may use information gained in the proceedings for any future criminal trial for the offense in question. The prosecutor must abide by numerous rules and procedures during the grand jury proceedings. But he or she can also disagree with the jury’s decision or its interpretation of the facts and potentially attempt the grand jury indictment process again.
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NAME
ADDRESS
AGENCY ARRESTING
LOCATION OF ARREST
CASE NUMBER
CHARGE
221ST DISTRICT COURT
12/8/2020 352070 OREA GASPARIANO, BRULILL ANTONIO 19565 CEARLEY CLEVELAND TX 77328 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 4 19565 CEARLEY ST. INSTANTER D359 CRUELTY TO NON-LIVESTOCK ANIMALS: TORTUR
7/29/2020 334576 WYSE, DUNCAN JOHN 25145 PANTHER BEND CT; 1804 SPRING TX 77380 MCSO 25145 PANTHER BEND CT; APT 1804 INSTANTER D435 CONTINUOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE FAMILY
3/19/2020 231286 BARKER, JUSTIN WAYNE 21387 VILLAGE CROSSING LN PORTER TX 77365 MCSO 21387 Village Crossing INSTANTER D9 ASSAULT FAM/HOUSE IMPEDE BREATH/CIRC(FV)
6/7/2020 327957 BENSON, ANDREA MARIE 5807 TREMOUNT ST DALLAS TX 75214 MCSO 17172 GLENEAGLE DR N; VAC1959 INSTANTER D9 DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED 3RD OR 3+(DWI) 5000
11/11/2020 319861 BRIDGES, HAROLD DEXTER 814 N 3RD ST CONROE TX 77301 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 1 FM 830 BOAT RAMP 20-10-12685 D9 BURGLARY OF BUILDING 1500
11/22/2020 34322 CARROLL, TRAVON CHRISTOPHER 12723 CARRIAGE GLEN DR TOMBALL TX 77377 TEXAS DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DOBBIN HUFFSMITH RD/MOORE RD INSTANTER D9 UNAUTHORIZED USE OF VEHICLE INSTANTER D9 EVADING ARREST DETENTION W/VEH OR WATERC
10/25/2020 346739 CAST, KENNETH D 289 AMELIA DR EL PASO TX 79912 TEXAS DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY INSTANTER D9 DRIVING WHILE INTOX W/CHILD < 15(DWI)
4/12/2020 84037 COOK, JEANNE JATZLAU 22997 DAVID NEW CANEY TX 77357 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 4 FM 1314 INSTANTER D9 PCS CS PG1 < 1G
10/26/2020 346933 FIERROS GARCIA, GUSTAVO 398 HUMBLE TANK RD TRL 25 CONROE TX 77304 CONROE PD 307 E DALLAS ST Instanter D9 BURGLARY OF HABITATION
10/31/2020 347471 GIRON, SANTOS 22223 JAY DRIVE SPRING TX 77373 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 4 US HIGHWAY 59 / WILSHIRE DR INSTANTER D9 FORGERY GOVT/NATIONAL INST/MONEY/SECURIT
11/13/2020 311460 LEVERETTE, SHANNON BRADLEY 490 BERSEFORD ST HOUSTON TX 77015 MCSO CJC 20-11-13487 D9 FAIL TO REPORT CHANGE OF ADDRESS 0
10/25/2020 47683 LEWIS, JASON FOREST 20560 FM 1488 MAGNOLIA TX 77355 MCSO 20560 FM 1488 INSTANTER D9 ASSAULT FAM/HOUSE IMPEDE BREATH/CIRC(FV) 5000
10/31/2020 347472 MEJIA, EDEN 310 PARAMATA SPRING TX 77073 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 4 US HIGHWAY 59 / WILSHIRE DR INSTANTER D9 FORGERY GOVT/NATIONAL INST/MONEY/SECURIT
5/16/2020 325300 ORTEGA, JORGE ALEJANDRO 11727 PEBBLE SANDS DR TOMBALL TX 77375 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3 26000 INTERSTATE 45 INSTANTER D9 EVADING ARREST DET W/VEH 10000
6/8/2020 32002 PENNINGTON, GABRIELLE AMANDA 16398 TREE MONKEY RD CONROE TX 77303 CONROE PD 504 MEDICAL CENTER BLVD INSTANTER INSTANTER D9 PCS CS PG2 < 1G 1500
4/14/2020 122199 PIERCE, CORINE NICOLE 300 N VISTA DR, APT 1611 HOUSTON TX 77073 CONROE PD 1407 N Loop 336 10092019-08096121 PARB BLUE WARRANT INSTANTER D9 THEFT<2,500 2/MORE PREV CONV
3/18/2020 319521 RIVERA, FRANCISCO JAVIER 28811 SEDGEFIELD ST SPRING TX 77386 MC CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 3 2659 RILEY FUZZEL RD INSTANTER D9 ASSAULT PUBLIC SERVANT/ POLICE OFFICER 2234143 O101 THEFT>=100<750 500
7/8/2020 331989 ROLLINGS, ASHTON PIERRE 1840 LONGMIRE RD, APT 10104 CONROE TX 77304 TEXAS DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IH 45 MB M/L @ SH 242 INSTATNER D9 PCS CS PG1 < 1G
4/17/2020 322289 TEDFORD, ALBERT HARVEY 2680A CR 3127 GREENVILLE TX 75402 TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IH 45 SB SR @ SH 242 INSTANTER D9 DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED 3RD OR 3+(DWI)
