Pulaski County Criminal Court

Pulaski County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Pulaski County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Pulaski County.

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.

Required Court Appearances in Pulaski County

Any required court appearances in Pulaski 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.

Pulaski County Criminal Court

Pulaski County Criminal Court

What happens in Pulaski County at an arraignment?

In Pulaski 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.

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.

I need help for my Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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.

Where will Pulaski County criminal case hearings take place?

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

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.

Prosecutor in Pulaski County

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

Jury Deliberations in Pulaski County

In Pulaski 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.

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.

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.

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.

Pulaski County Criminal Court Locations

  • Pulaski County Superior Court

    Address: 350 Commerce Street, PO Box 60, Hawkinsville GA 31036
    Phone: 478-783-1911 Fax: 478-892-3308

  • Pulaski County Magistrate Court

    Address: 105 North Lumpkin Street, PO Box 667, Hawkinsville GA 30136
    Phone: 478-783-1357 Fax: 478-783-9209

  • Pulaski County Juvenile Court

    Address: 350 Commerce Street, PO Box 60, Hawkinsville GA 31036
    Phone: 478-783-1911 Fax: 478-892-3308

  • Municipal Court of Hawkinsville

    Address: PO Box 120, Hawkinsville GA 31036
    Phone: 478-892-3240

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