Riverside County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Riverside County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Riverside County.
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 Riverside County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Riverside County Criminal Court
Riverside County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Riverside County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Prosecutor in Riverside County
In Riverside County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Riverside County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent California. For the most part, the prosecutor in Riverside County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Riverside County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Riverside County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Riverside 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 Riverside 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Riverside 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.
I need help for my Riverside 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 Riverside 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 Riverside 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.
Required Court Appearances in Riverside County
Any required court appearances in Riverside 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 Riverside 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.
Riverside County Criminal Court Locations
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Riverside County Superior Court – Banning Court
Address: 135 North Alessandro Road, Banning CA 92220
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Blythe Court
Address: 265 North Broadway, Blythe CA 92225
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Corona Court
Address: 505 South Buena Vista, Room 201, Corona CA 92882
Phone: 951-222-0384 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Hawthorne Court
Address: 9174 Indiana Avenue, Riverside CA 92503
Phone: 951-777-3147 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Hemet Court
Address: 880 North State Street, Hemet CA 92543
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Indio Juvenile Court
Address: 47-671 Oasis Street, Indio CA 92201
Phone: 760-393-2617 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Indio Annex
Address: 82-675 State Highway 111, Indio CA 92201
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Larson Justice Center
Address: 46-200 Oasis Street, Indio CA 92201
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Moreno Valley Court
Address: 13800 Heacock Street, Bldg D, Room 201, Moreno Valley CA 92553
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Palm Springs
Address: 3255 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs CA 92262
Phone: 760-393-2617 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Riverside Family Law Courthouse
Address: Physical Address: 4175 Main Street, Riverside CA 92501
Phone: 951-777-3147 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Riverside Hall of Justice
Address: 4100 Main Street, Riverside CA 92501
Phone: 951-777-3147 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Riverside Historic Courthouse
Address: 4050 Main Street, Riverside CA 92501
Phone: 951-777-3147 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Riverside Juvenile Court
Address: 9991 County Farm Road, Riverside CA 92503
Phone: 951-777-3147 -
Riverside County Superior Court – Southwest Justice Center
Address: 30755-D Auld Road, Murrieta CA 92563
Phone: 951-222-0384 (Traffic) -
Riverside County Superior Court – Temecula Court
Address: 41002 County Center Drive, Room 100, Temecula CA 92591
Phone: 951-704-7634