Thomas County Criminal Court

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

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.

Mandatory Appearances in Thomas County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Thomas 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.

Thomas County Criminal Court

Thomas County Criminal Court

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Thomas County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.

Prosecutor in Thomas County

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

Arraignments in Thomas County

During an arraignment in Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

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.

Sentencing in Thomas County

In Thomas 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.

I need help for my Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas 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.

Thomas County Criminal Court locations

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

Right to an attorney

The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Thomas County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Plea Agreements

A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Thomas County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.

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.

Thomas County Criminal Court Locations

  • Thomas County District Court

    Address: 300 North Court, PO Box 805, Colby, KS 67701
    Phone: 785-460-4540 Fax: 785-460-2291

  • Brewster Municipal Court

    Address: 425 Illinois Avenue, PO Box 147, Brewster, KS 67732
    Phone: 785-694-2205 Fax: 785-694-2811

  • Colby Municipal Court

    Address: 300 North Court Avenue, PO Box 973, Colby, KS 67701
    Phone: 785-460-4446 Fax: 785-460-4448

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