Okaloosa County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Okaloosa County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Okaloosa County.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
Sentencing in Okaloosa County
In Okaloosa 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.
Okaloosa County Criminal Court
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.
What happens in Okaloosa County at an arraignment?
In Okaloosa 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.
Okaloosa County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Okaloosa County will take place at the Okaloosa County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Okaloosa County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Okaloosa County
Any required court appearances in Okaloosa 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.
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 Okaloosa 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Okaloosa County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Okaloosa County criminal cases will either be a representative of Okaloosa County or a representative from Florida. 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.
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.
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.
Who can help me in Okaloosa County?
For general information about your case the Okaloosa 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.
Okaloosa County Criminal Court Locations
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Okaloosa County Circuit Court
Address: 101 East James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: 850-689-5000 -
Okaloosa County Circuit Court
Address: 1250 North Eglin Parkway, Shalimar, FL 32579
Phone: 850-651-7200 -
Okaloosa County Circuit Court
Address: 1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: 850-651-7200 -
County Court of Okaloosa County
Address: 1250 North Eglin Parkway, Shalimar, FL 32579
Phone: 850-651-7200 -
County Court of Okaloosa County
Address: 101 East James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: 850-689-5000 -
County Court of Okaloosa County
Address: 1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: 850-651-7200