Camden County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Camden County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Camden 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.
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 Camden County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Camden County Criminal Court
Camden County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Camden County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Camden 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 Camden 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Camden County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
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.
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.
Camden County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Camden County will take place at the Camden County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Camden County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
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.
Who is the prosecutor for Camden County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Camden County criminal cases will either be a representative of Camden County or a representative from Georgia. 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.
Who can help me in Camden County?
For general information about your case the Camden 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.
Required Court Appearances in Camden County
Any required court appearances in Camden 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.
Camden County Criminal Court Locations
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Camden County Superior Court
Address: 210 East 4th Street, PO Box 550, Woodbine GA 31569
Phone: 912-576-5631 Fax: 912-576-5648 -
Camden County Magistrate Court
Address: 210 East 4th Street, PO Box 386, Woodbine GA 31569
Phone: 912-576-5658 Fax 912-576-7955 -
Camden County Juvenile Court
Address: 210 East 4th Street, PO Box 550, Woodbine GA 31569
Phone: 912-576-5631 Fax: 912-76-5648 -
Municipal Court of Kingsland
Address: 105 West William Avenue, Kingsland GA 31548
Phone: 912-729-5613 Fax: 912-673-9528 -
Municipal Court of Saint Marys
Address: 418 Osborne Street, St. Marys GA 31558
Phone: 912-510-4023 Fax: 912-673-6278 -
Municipal Court of Woodbine
Address: PO Box 26, Woodbine GA 31569
Phone: 912-576-3211