Mohave County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Mohave County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Mohave County.
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.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mohave County Criminal Court
Mohave County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Mohave County will take place at the Mohave County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Mohave 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.
I need help for my Mohave County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Mohave County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Mohave County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Mohave County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
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 Mohave County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Jury Deliberations in Mohave County
In Mohave 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.
Prosecutor in Mohave County
In Mohave County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Mohave County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Arizona. For the most part, the prosecutor in Mohave County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Mandatory Appearances in Mohave County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Mohave County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Mohave County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Mohave County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Mohave 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 Mohave 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.
Mohave County Criminal Court Locations
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Lake Havasu Consolidated Court – Superior
Address: 2001 College Drive, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone: 928-453-0705 Fax: 928-680-0193 -
Mohave County Superior Court – Bullhead City
Address: 2225 Trane Road, Bullhead City AZ 86442
Phone: 928-758-0730 -
Mohave County Superior Court – Kingman
Address: 401 East Spring Street, PO Box 7000, Kingman AZ 86402
Phone: 928-753-0713 -
Bullhead City Justice Court
Address: 2225 Trane Road, Bullhead City AZ 86442
Phone: 928-758-0709 Fax: 928-758-2644 -
Kingman / Cerbat Justice Court
Address: 524 West Beale Street, PO Box 29, Kingman AZ 86402
Phone: 928-753-0710 Fax: 928-753-7840 -
Lake Havasu Consolidated Court – Justice
Address: 2001 College Drive, Lake Havasu City AZ 86403
Phone: 928-453-0705 Fax: 928-680-0193 -
Moccasin Consolidated Court – Justice
Address: 123 South Main, HC 65, Box 90, Moccasin AZ 86022
Phone: 928-643-7104 Fax: 928-643-6206 -
North Canyon Consolidated Court – Justice
Address: 2100 South Hwy 389, PO Box 3160, Colorado City AZ 86021
Phone: 928-875-8700 Fax: 928-875-2495 -
Bullhead City Municipal Court
Address: 1255 Marina Blvd, Bullhead City AZ 86442
Phone: 928-763-0130 Fax: 928-763-8993 -
Kingman Municipal Court
Address: 219 North 4th Street, Kingman AZ 86401
Phone: 928-753-8193 -
Lake Havasu Consolidated Court – Municipal
Address: 2001 College Drive, Lake Havasu City AZ 86403
Phone: 928-453-0705 Fax: 928-680-0193 -
Moccasin Consolidated Court – Magistrate
Address: 123 South Main, HC 65, Box 90, Moccasin AZ 86022
Phone: 928-643-7104 Fax: 928-643-6206 -
North Canyon Consolidated Court – Municipal
Address: 2100 South Hwy 389, PO Box 3160, Colorado City AZ 86021
Phone: 928-875-8700 Fax: 928-875-2495