Clarke County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Clarke County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Clarke County.
Jury Deliberations in Clarke County
In Clarke County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
Who can help me in Clarke County?
For general information about your case the Clarke County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
Clarke County Criminal Court
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Clarke County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Clarke County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Clarke County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Clarke County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.
Clarke County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Clarke County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Clarke County Required Court Appearances
In Clarke County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Clarke County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
Who is the prosecutor for Clarke County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Clarke County criminal cases will either be a representative of Clarke County or a representative from Alabama. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Clarke County Criminal Court Locations
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Clarke County Circuit Court
Address: 114 Court St, PO Box 921, Grove Hill AL 36451
Phone: 251-275-3363 Fax: 251-275-3271 -
Clarke County District Court
Address: 114 Court St, PO Box 941, Grove Hill AL 36451
Phone: 251-275-3363 Fax: 251-275-3271 -
Coffeeville Municipal Court
Address: 160 River St E, PO Box 10, Coffeeville AL 36524
Phone: 251-276-3266 -
Fulton Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 68, Fulton AL 36446
Phone: 334-636-9527 -
Grove Hill Municipal Court
Address: 111 S Church St, PO Box 847, Grove Hill AL 36451
Phone: 251-275-3153 -
Jackson Municipal Court
Address: 324 Commerce St, PO Box 1096, Jackson AL 36545
Phone: 251-246-5589 -
Thomasville Municipal Court
Address: 137 Adams Ave, PO Box 127, Thomasville AL 36784
Phone: 334-637-3353 Fax: 334-636-5893