Hillsborough County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Hillsborough County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Hillsborough County.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
Sentencing in Hillsborough County
In Hillsborough 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.
Hillsborough County Criminal Court
What happens in Hillsborough County at an arraignment?
In Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County
In Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County
In Hillsborough County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Hillsborough County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Florida. For the most part, the prosecutor in Hillsborough County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
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.
Where can I get help for my Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough 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.
Hillsborough County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Hillsborough County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
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 Hillsborough 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.
Hillsborough County Required Court Appearances
In Hillsborough 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.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Hillsborough County Criminal Court Locations
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Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Address: 401 North Jefferson Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-276-8100 Ext. 4368 (Felony) Fax: 813-276-6102 -
Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Address: 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-276-8100 Ext. 4365 (Civil) -
Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Address: 311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-276-8200 -
Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Address: 301 North Michigan Avenue, Plant City, FL 33563
Phone: 813-276-8100 -
Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Address: 410 30th Street SE, Ruskin, FL 33570
Phone: 813-641-6910 -
County Court of Hillsborough County
Address: 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-276-8100 Ext. 4362 Fax: 813-276-2437 -
County Court of Hillsborough County
Address: 700 Twiggs Street, Room 752, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-276-8100 Ext. 4357 Fax: 813-276-8569 -
County Court of Hillsborough County
Address: 301 North Michigan Avenue, Plant City, FL 33563
Phone: 813-276-8100 -
County Court of Hillsborough County
Address: 311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-276-8200 -
County Court of Hillsborough County
Address: 419 Pierce Street, Room 107, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-276-8200 -
County Court of Hillsborough County
Address: 410 30th Street SE, Ruskin, FL 33571
Phone: 813-641-6910