Tallapoosa County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Tallapoosa County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Tallapoosa County.
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.
Tallapoosa County Required Court Appearances
In Tallapoosa 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.
Tallapoosa County Criminal Court
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.
Where can I get help for my Tallapoosa County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Tallapoosa County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Tallapoosa County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Who is the prosecutor for Tallapoosa County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Tallapoosa County criminal cases will either be a representative of Tallapoosa 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.
Jury Deliberations in Tallapoosa County
In Tallapoosa 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.
Tallapoosa County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Tallapoosa County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Tallapoosa 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 Tallapoosa 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.
Tallapoosa County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Tallapoosa County will take place at the Tallapoosa County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Tallapoosa County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
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.
Sentencing in Tallapoosa County
In Tallapoosa County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Tallapoosa County Criminal Court Locations
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Tallapoosa County Circuit Court
Address: 125 N Broadnax St, Dadeville AL 36853
Phone: 256-825-1098 -
Tallapoosa County Circuit Court
Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 189, Alexander City AL 35011
Phone: 256-234-4361 -
Tallapoosa County District Court
Address: 125 N Broadnax St, Dadeville AL 36853
Phone: 256-825-1098 -
Tallapoosa County District Court
Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 189, Alexander City AL 35011
Phone: 256-234-4361 -
Alexander City Municipal Court
Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 552, Alexander City AL 35011
Phone: 256-329-6750 -
Camp Hill Municipal Court
Address: 309 Holley Ave, PO Box 100, Camp Hill AL 36850
Phone: 256-896-4148 -
Dadeville Municipal Court
Address: 265 N Broadnax St, Dadeville AL 36853
Phone: 256-825-9242 Fax: 256-825-9291 -
Jackson’s Gap Municipal Court
Address: 1405 Main St, Jackson’s Gap AL 36861
Phone: 256-825-8518