Coffee County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Coffee County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Coffee County.
What happens in Coffee County at an arraignment?
In Coffee County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
Coffee County Criminal Court
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Coffee County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Coffee County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Coffee County. The Coffee County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Coffee County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Coffee County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Required Court Appearances in Coffee County
Any required court appearances in Coffee County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Coffee County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
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.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Who can help me in Coffee County?
For general information about your case the Coffee 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.
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.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Coffee County Criminal Court Locations
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Coffee County Circuit Court – Elba
Address: 230 Court Ave, #M, Elba AL 36323
Phone: 334-897-2954 -
Coffee County Circuit Court – Enterprise
Address: 99 S Edwards St, PO Box 311284, Enterprise AL 36331
Phone: 334-393-2750 -
Coffee County District Court – Elba
Address: 230 Court Ave, #M, Elba AL 36323
Phone: 334-897-2954 -
Coffee County District Court – Enterprise
Address: 99 S Edwards St, PO Box 311284, Enterprise AL 36331
Phone: 334-393-2750 -
Elba Municipal Court
Address: 312 Simmons St, Elba AL 36323
Phone: 334-897-1254 -
Enterprise Municipal Court
Address: 501 S Main St, PO Box 31100, Enterprise AL 36331
Phone: 334-347-1211 -
Kinston Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 26, Kinston AL 36453
Phone: 334-565-3116