The criminal justice system in Bell County, Texas, is managed by specialized public offices that handle different levels of offenses. Understanding the structure of these offices and the roles of prosecutors is essential for navigating the legal landscape.
District Attorney’s Office
Role: Handles felony prosecutions, grand jury preparations, and major trial work for the 27th Judicial District.
Selection Method: Elected by the voters of Bell County for a 4-year term.
Appoints: Assistant District Attorneys (Felony Prosecutors), investigators, and support staff.
Contact Information
Phone: (254) 933-5215
Email: districtattorney@bellcounty.texas.gov
Address: P.O. Box 540, Belton, TX 76513
Website: Bell County District Attorney's Office
Key Personnel:
- Stephanie Newell (Current District Attorney): Took office in January 2025 after winning the 2024 election.
- Henry L. Garza (Former District Attorney): Served 23 years across 6 terms (2001–2024).
County Attorney’s Office
Role: Handles misdemeanor prosecutions, juvenile justice cases, truant conduct, and hot check restitution, while providing legal advice to county officials.
Contact Information & Location
Bell County Attorney: James E. Nichols
Phone: (254) 933-5135
Fax: (254) 933-5150
Email: county.attorney@bellcounty.texas.gov
Physical Address: Bell County Justice Center, 1201 Huey Road, Belton, Texas 76513
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1127, Belton, Texas 76513
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday (closed 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Directions to the Justice Center:
- From I-35: Take Loop 121 exit, travel West on Loop 121, turn right onto Huey Road, and right into the Justice Center.
- From Hwy 190: Take Hwy 190 East, take Loop 121 exit, turn right onto Loop 121, turn left onto Huey Road, and right into the Justice Center.
Hot Check Department
The County Attorney’s Hot Check Office is a free service helping merchants recover money from hot checks. In recent years, the office has returned over $13.3 million to merchants. The office handles everything from demand letters to issuing arrest warrants (if the merchant collected a driver’s license number).
Guidelines for Merchants:
- Accepting a check: Checks must be dated the same day they are given (no post-dated checks). You must verify ID and write the driver’s license number, state, and a complete permanent address on the check.
- When a check is returned: Present it to the bank. It must be stamped “NSF” or “Account Closed”. The check cannot be over 6 months old.
- Checks > 30 days old: If a check is over 30 days old when presented to the office, merchants must first send a certified demand letter (Return Receipt Requested) giving the writer 10 days to pay.
- Checks not prosecuted: Stop-payments for services rendered, partial payments, checks exchanged for a returned check, mailed checks, checks not passed in Bell County, and checks over 6 months old.
Maximum Penalties for Theft by Check:
- Under $100: Up to a $500 Fine.
- $100 – $750: Up to a $2,000 Fine & 6 Months Jail Time.
- $750 – $2,500: Up to a $4,000 Fine & 1 Year Jail Time.
Juvenile Truant Conduct Court
In 2015, HB 2398 decriminalized juvenile truancy, transforming it into a civil offense of “truant conduct.” Bell County established a designated Truancy Court to handle these cases across all school precincts.
- Truancy Master: Beatrice “Bea” Lopez Cox
- Location: 550 E. 2nd Avenue, Rm B139, Court #2, Belton, Texas 76513
- Phone: (254) 933-6052
Class C Offense Complaints
The County Attorney provides specific police agency complaint forms for prosecuting Class C Misdemeanors in Bell County, covering:
- Alcoholic Beverage Code (e.g., Minor in Possession, Consumption by Minor)
- Education Code (e.g., Disruption of Transportation, Failure to Attend School)
- Health and Safety Code (e.g., Dog at Large, Illegal Dumping, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia)
- Parks and Wildlife Code (e.g., Hunting/Fishing without a license, Boating violations)
- Penal Code (e.g., Assault by Contact/Threat, Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, Theft under $100)
Plea Documents
For case resolution, the office utilizes standardized PDF forms such as Judgment and Sentence, Discovery Compliance Statements, Orders Deferring Adjudication, Conditions of Interlock, and Required Notices regarding Family Violence.
Where Cases Are Litigated
Criminal cases initiated by these offices are litigated in the Bell County courts, which include County Courts at Law (for misdemeanors and juvenile cases) and District Courts (for felonies). For court schedules and official judicial information, visit the official Bell County website.
Criminal Defense Representation
When facing criminal charges from the public prosecutors mentioned above, individuals have the right to private legal counsel. Defense attorneys protect individuals’ rights and negotiate with the District or County Attorney’s office on their behalf.
Private Defense Attorneys Directory
Below is a selection of private criminal defense attorneys available to practice in Bell County, Texas (as referenced by the Cornell Law Directory):
- Rick Cofer — Phone: (254) 540-8049
- Kyle Watkins — Phone: (254) 444-9920
- F. Edward (Ed) Brown — Phone: (254) 634-2587