Paulding County Criminal Court

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

I need help for my Paulding 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 Paulding 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 Paulding 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.

What is the Burden of Proof?

The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

Paulding County Criminal Court

Paulding County Criminal Court

Paulding County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Paulding County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

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.

Paulding County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Paulding County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Paulding 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 Paulding 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.

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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Paulding 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.

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.

What if I can’t afford an attorney?

The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.

Prosecutor in Paulding County

In Paulding County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Paulding County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Georgia. For the most part, the prosecutor in Paulding County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

Mandatory Appearances in Paulding County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Paulding County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.

Sentencing in Paulding County

In Paulding 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.

Paulding County Criminal Court Locations

  • Paulding County Superior Court

    Address: 280 Constitution Boulevard, Room 1023, Dallas GA 30132
    Phone: 770-443-7527 Fax: 770-505-3863

  • Paulding County Magistrate Court

    Address: 280 Constitution Boulevard, Dallas GA 30132
    Phone: 770-443-7533 Fax: 770-443-8980

  • Paulding County Juvenile Court

    Address: 280 Consitution Boulevard, Room 2106, Dallas GA 30132
    Phone: 770-443-7532 Fax: 770-443-2029

  • Municipal Court of Braswell

    Address: 6997 Braswell Road, Rockmart GA 30153
    Phone: 770-684-7979 Fax: 770-684-7979

  • Municipal Court of Dallas

    Address: 120 Main Street, Dallas GA 30132
    Phone: 770-443-8102 Fax: 770-443-8106

  • Municipal Court of Hiram

    Address: 217 Main Street, Hiram GA 30141
    Phone: 770-943-3087

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