Navajo County Criminal Court

Navajo County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Navajo County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Navajo County.

Navajo County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Navajo County will take place at the Navajo County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Navajo County Criminal Court Locations.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Navajo 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.

Navajo County Criminal Court

Navajo County Criminal Court

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.

Who can help me in Navajo County?

For general information about your case the Navajo 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.

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.

Prosecutor in Navajo County

In Navajo County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Navajo County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Arizona. For the most part, the prosecutor in Navajo County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

The Right to Trial by Jury

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.

What happens in Navajo County at an arraignment?

In Navajo 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.

Jury Deliberations in Navajo County

In Navajo 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.

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.

Required Court Appearances in Navajo County

Any required court appearances in Navajo 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.

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 Navajo County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Navajo County Criminal Court Locations

  • Navajo County Superior Court – Holbrook

    Address: 100 East Code Talkers Drive, PO Box 668, Holbrook AZ 86025
    Phone: 928-524-4171 Fax: 928-524-4185

  • Navajo County Superior Court – Show Low

    Address: 100 East Code Talkers Drive, PO Box 668, Holbrook AZ 86025
    Phone: 928-524-4171 Fax: 928-524-4185

  • Holbrook Justice Court

    Address: 121 West Buffalo, Holbrook AZ 86025
    Phone: 928-524-4720 Fax: 928-524-4725

  • Kayenta Justice Court

    Address: 1 mile east of Jct 160 & Hwy 163, Kayenta AZ 86033
    Phone: 928-697-3522 Fax: 928-697-3528

  • Pinetop / Lakeside Justice-Magistrate Court

    Address: 1360 North Niels Hansen Lane, PO Box 860, Lakeside AZ 85929
    Phone: 928-368-6200 Fax: 928-368-8674

  • Show Low Justice Court

    Address: 620 East McNeil, Show Low AZ 85901
    Phone: 928-532-6030 Fax: 928-532-6035

  • Snowflake Justice Court

    Address: 145 South Main Street, Snowflake AZ 85937
    Phone: 928-536-4141 Fax: 928-536-3511

  • Winslow Justice Court

    Address: 605 East 3rd Street, PO Box 808, Winslow AZ 86047
    Phone: 928-289-6840 Fax: 928-289-6847

  • Holbrook City Municipal Court

    Address: 121 West Buffalo Street, Holbrook AZ 86025
    Phone: 928-524-4720

  • Pinetop / Lakeside Justice-Magistrate Court

    Address: 1360 North Niels Hansen Lane, PO Box 860, Lakeside AZ 85929
    Phone: 928-368-6200 Fax: 928-368-8674

  • Show Low Magistrate Court

    Address: 620 East McNeil, Show Low AZ 85901
    Phone: 928-532-6016

  • Winslow Municipal Court

    Address: 605 East 3rd Street, Winslow AZ 86047
    Phone: 928-289-6840

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