Putnam County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Putnam County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Putnam County.
I need help for my Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam 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.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Putnam County Criminal Court
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.
Jury Deliberations in Putnam County
In Putnam 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.
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.
Putnam County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Putnam County will take place at the Putnam County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Putnam County Criminal Court Locations.
Prosecutor in Putnam County
In Putnam County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Putnam County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Florida. For the most part, the prosecutor in Putnam County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Putnam County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Putnam County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Putnam 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 Putnam 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.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
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 Putnam County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Putnam County Required Court Appearances
In Putnam 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.
Putnam County Criminal Court Locations
-
Putnam County Circuit Court
Address: 1114 State Road 20, Suite 2, Interlachen, FL 32148
Phone: 386-684-3717 Fax: 386-684-4640 -
Putnam County Circuit Court
Address: 19 North Summit Street, Crescent City, FL 32112
Phone: 386-698-1217 Fax: 386-698-4283 -
Putnam County Circuit Court
Address: 410 St. Johns Avenue, PO Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178
Phone: 386-326-7600 Fax: 386-329-0888 -
County Court of Putnam County
Address: 19 North Summit Street, Crescent City, FL 32112
Phone: 386-698-1217 Fax: 386-698-4283 -
County Court of Putnam County
Address: 410 St. Johns Avenue, PO Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178
Phone: 386-326-7600 Fax: 386-329-0888 -
County Court of Putnam County
Address: 1114 State Road 20, Suite 2, Interlachen, FL 32148
Phone: 386-684-3717 Fax: 386-684-4640