Baxter County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Baxter County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Baxter County.
Who is the prosecutor for Baxter County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Baxter County criminal cases will either be a representative of Baxter County or a representative from Arkansas. 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.
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.
Baxter County Criminal Court
Baxter County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Baxter County will take place at the Baxter County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Baxter County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Baxter County
In Baxter 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.
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 Baxter 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.
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.
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 Baxter County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Who can help me in Baxter County?
For general information about your case the Baxter 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.
Baxter County Required Court Appearances
In Baxter 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.
Arraignments in Baxter County
During an arraignment in Baxter County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Baxter County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Baxter County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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.
Baxter County Criminal Court Locations
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Baxter County Circuit Court
Address: 1 E 7th St, Mountain Home AR 72653
Phone: 870-425-3475 Fax: 870-424-5105 -
Baxter County District Court – Briarcliff
Address: 945 Scenic Dr, Mountain Home AR 72653
Phone: 870-491-5762 Fax: 870-491-5772 -
Baxter County District Court – Cotter
Address: 115 Mclean Ave, PO Box 9, Cotter AR 72626
Phone: 870-435-6326 Fax: 870-435-2438 -
Baxter County District Court – Gassville
Address: 206 S School St, PO Box 28, Gassville AR 72635
Phone: 870-435-6439 Fax: 870-435-6276 -
Baxter County District Court – Lakeview
Address: 14 Skyles Ln, Lakeview, AR 72642
Phone: 870-431-8744 Fax: 870-431-8800 -
Baxter County District Court – Norfork
Address: PO Box 239, Norfork AR 72658
Phone: 870-499-5225 Fax: 870-499-5224 -
Baxter County District Court – Salesville
Address: 46 Gillispie St, Salesville AR 72653
Phone: 870-499-5675 Fax: 870ΓÇô499-3035 -
Baxter County District Court – Mountain Home
Address: 301 E 6th St, #130, Mountain Home AR 72653
Phone: 870-425-3140 Fax: 870-425-8470