Morgan County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Morgan County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Morgan 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.
Jury Deliberations in Morgan County
In Morgan 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.
Morgan County Criminal Court
Where can I get help for my Morgan County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Morgan County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
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.
Arraignments in Morgan County
During an arraignment in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Morgan County
Any required court appearances in Morgan 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Morgan County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Morgan County criminal cases will either be a representative of Morgan County or a representative from Indiana. 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.
Morgan County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Morgan County will take place at the Morgan County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Morgan County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
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.
Sentencing in Morgan County
In Morgan 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.
Morgan County Criminal Court Locations
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Morgan County Circuit Court
Address: 10 E Washington St, PO Box 1556, Martinsville IN 46151
Phone: 765-342-1025 Fax: 765-342-1111 -
Morgan County Superior Court No. 1
Address: 10 E Washington St, PO Box 1556, Martinsville IN 46151
Phone: 765-342-1025 Fax: 765-342-1111 -
Morgan County Superior Court No. 2
Address: 10 E Washington St, PO Box 1556, Martinsville IN 46151
Phone: 765-342-1025 Fax: 765-342-1111 -
Morgan County Superior Court No. 3
Address: 10 E Washington St, PO Box 1556, Martinsville IN 46151
Phone: 765-342-1025 Fax: 765-342-1111 -
Martinsville City Court
Address: 59 S Jefferson St, PO Box 1415, Martinsville IN 46151
Phone: 765-342-1259 Fax: 765-349-4921 -
Mooresville Town Court
Address: 26 S Indiana St, Mooresville IN 46158
Phone: 317-831-1330 Fax: 317-831-9541