Court Roles

Role of the Judge
Judges are responsible for:

• Ensuring that all persons before the court are treated equally
• Ensuring that orders of the court are followed
• Presiding over bench trials and jury trials and giving the final verdict in bench trials
• Setting the terms and conditions of deferred disposition and other sentences
• Arraigning prisoners
• Setting fine amounts
• Accepting pleas

Judges cannot hear information about a case or the specifics therein until after a plea has been entered.
 
Role of the Clerk
Clerks are responsible for:

• Serving as administrators of the court
• Putting into operation the orders of the judge and procedures and policies set within the court

Clerks are also prohibited by law to give any legal counsel or guidance. They cannot change the Judge's orders or approve extensions, or tell you what they think the Judge or Prosecutor will do in your case.

Role of the Prosecutor
Prosecutors are responsible for:

• Prosecuting criminal cases for the City of Greenville and the State of Texas
• Dismissing cases

The Prosecutor is available prior to the trial for defendants who would like to settle outside of court. Criminal defendants may choose not to speak to the Prosecutor prior to the trial.