Bristol County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Bristol County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Bristol County.
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.
Prosecutor in Bristol County
In Bristol County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Bristol County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Massachusetts. For the most part, the prosecutor in Bristol County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Bristol County Criminal Court
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Bristol County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Bristol County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Sentencing in Bristol County
In Bristol 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.
Bristol County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Bristol County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Bristol 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 Bristol 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.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Bristol County
In Bristol 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.
Required Court Appearances in Bristol County
Any required court appearances in Bristol 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 can help me in Bristol County?
For general information about your case the Bristol County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
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.
Bristol County Criminal Court Locations
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Bristol Superior Court
Address: 9 Court Street, Room 13, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-823-6588 -
Bristol Superior Court
Address: 186 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-491-3300 -
Bristol Superior Court
Address: 441 County Street, 1st Floor, New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: 508-996-2051 -
Attleboro District Court
Address: 88 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: 508-222-5900 -
Fall River District Court
Address: 186 South Main Street, 5th floor, Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-491-3200 -
New Bedford District Court
Address: 75 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: 508-999-9700 Fax: 508-990-9332 (Small Claims) -
Taunton District Court
Address: 40 Broadway Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-977-6000 Fax: 508-824-2282 -
Southeast Housing Court
Address: 40 Broadway, Suite 1306, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-977-4950 Fax: 508-977-0485 -
Southeast Housing Court
Address: 289 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-677-1505 Fax: 508-672-9621 -
Southeast Housing Court
Address: 139 Hathaway Road, New Bedford, MA 02746
Phone: 508-944-0156 Fax: 508-994-7538 -
Attleboro Juvenile Court
Address: 88 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Phone: 508-222-5350 -
Fall River Juvenile Court
Address: 289 Rock Street, 4th Floor, Fall River, MA 02720
Phone: 508-676-0090 -
New Bedford Juvenile Court
Address: 75 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: 508-999-9700 -
Taunton Juvenile Court
Address: 40 Broadway, Suite 240, Court, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-977- 6040