Coweta County Criminal Court

Coweta County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Coweta County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Coweta County.

Who is the prosecutor for Coweta County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Coweta County criminal cases will either be a representative of Coweta 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.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Coweta County Criminal Court

Coweta County Criminal Court

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Coweta 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.

Sentencing in Coweta County

In Coweta 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.

Who can help me in Coweta County?

For general information about your case the Coweta 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.

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 Deliberation

In a jury trial in Coweta 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.

What happens in Coweta County at an arraignment?

In Coweta 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.

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.

Where will Coweta County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Coweta County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Coweta County.

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.

Required Court Appearances in Coweta County

Any required court appearances in Coweta 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.

Coweta County Criminal Court Locations

  • Coweta County Superior Court

    Address: 72 Greenville Street, PO Box 943, Newnan GA 30264
    Phone: 770-254-2690 Fax: 770-254-3700

  • State Court of Coweta County

    Address: 72 Greenville Street, PO Box 884, Newnan GA 30264
    Phone: 770-254-2699 Fax: 770-252-6422

  • Coweta County Magistrate Court

    Address: 72 Greenville Street, Suite 1200, Newnan GA 30263
    Phone: 770-254-2610 Fax: 770-254-2614

  • Coweta County Juvenile Court

    Address: 78 Greenville Street, PO Box 976, Newnan Georgia 30264
    Phone: 770-254-3730 Fax: 770-252-6413

  • Municipal Court of Grantville

    Address: PO Box 160, Grantville GA 30220
    Phone: 770-583-2289

  • Municipal Court of Newnan

    Address: 25 Jefferson Street, Newnan GA 30263
    Phone: 770-253-1226 Fax: 770-254-2346

  • Municipal Court of Senoia

    Address: 505 Howard Road, PO Box 310, Senoia GA 30276
    Phone: 770-599-3256

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