Tattnall County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Tattnall County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Tattnall County.
I need help for my Tattnall 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 Tattnall 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 Tattnall 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.
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.
Tattnall County Criminal Court
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.
Sentencing in Tattnall County
In Tattnall 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.
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.
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.
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.
Tattnall County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Tattnall County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Tattnall County. The Tattnall County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Tattnall County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Tattnall County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Tattnall County Required Court Appearances
In Tattnall County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
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.
Tattnall County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Tattnall County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Tattnall 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 Tattnall 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.
Tattnall County Criminal Court Locations
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Tattnall County Superior Court
Address: 111 North Main Street, PO Box 39, Reidsville GA 30453
Phone: 912-557-6716 Fax: 912-557-4861 -
State Court of Tattnall County
Address: 111 North Main Street, PO Box 39, Reidsville GA 30453
Phone: 912-557-6716 Fax: 912-557-4861 -
Tattnall County Magistrate Court
Address: PO Box 513, Reidsville GA 30453
Phone: 912-557-4372 Fax: 912-557-3136 -
Tattnall County Juvenile Court
Address: 111 North Main Street, PO Box 39, Reidsville GA 30453
Phone: 912-557-6716 Fax: 912-557-4861 -
Municipal Court of Collins
Address: 210 NW Main Street, PO Box 96, Collins GA 30421
Phone: 912-693-2581 -
Municipal Court of Glennville
Address: 705 North Caswell Street, Glennville GA 30427
Phone: 912-654-2103 -
Municipal Court of Reidsville
Address: 117 Tattnall Street, PO Box 730, Reidsville GA 30453
Phone: 912-557-4013