Randolph County Criminal Court

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

I need help for my Randolph 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 Randolph 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 Randolph 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.

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.

Randolph County Criminal Court

Randolph County Criminal Court

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.

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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Randolph 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.

Jury Deliberations in Randolph County

In Randolph 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.

Prosecutor in Randolph County

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

Arraignments in Randolph County

During an arraignment in Randolph County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Randolph County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Randolph County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

Mandatory Appearances in Randolph County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Randolph 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.

Where will Randolph County criminal case hearings take place?

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

Randolph County Criminal Court Locations

  • Randolph County Superior Court

    Address: 93 Front Street, PO Box 98, Cuthbert GA 39840
    Phone: 229-732-2216 Fax: 229-732-5881

  • Randolph County Magistrate Court

    Address: PO Box 6, Cuthbert GA 39840
    Phone: 229-732-6182 Fax: 229-732-5635

  • Randolph County Juvenile Court

    Address: 93 Front Street, PO Box 98, Cuthbert GA 39840
    Phone: 229-732-2216 Fax: 229-732-5881

  • Municipal Court of Cuthbert

    Address: PO Box 100, Cuthbert GA 39840
    Phone: 229-732-3761

  • Municipal Court of Shellman

    Address: 51 Park Avenue, PO Box 60, Shellman GA 39886
    Phone: 229-679-5306

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