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A trial in municipal court is a fair, impartial and
public trial as in any other court. Under Texas law, you may be
brought to trial only after a sworn complaint is filed against you.
A complaint is a document that alleges the act you are supposed to
have committed and that the act is unlawful. You may be tried only
for what is alleged in the complaint.
You have the following rights in court:
(1)
The right to have notice of the complaint not later than the day
before any proceedings;
(2) The right to inspect the complaint before trial, and have it
read to you at the trial;
(3) The right to have your case tried before a jury, if you so
desire;
(4) The right to hear all testimony introduced against you;
(5) The right to cross-examine witnesses who testifies against you;
(6) The right to testify in your behalf;
(7) 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; and
(8) You may call witnesses to testify in your behalf at the trial,
and have the court issue a subpoena (a court order) to any witnesses
to ensure their appearance at the trial. The request for a subpoena
may be oral or in writing.
If you choose to have the case tried before a jury, you have 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 to excuse the juror. The judge will
decide whether or not 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 a strike based
solely upon a person's race or gender).
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