Genesee County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Genesee County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Genesee County.
Sentencing in Genesee County
In Genesee 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.
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.
Genesee County Criminal Court
What happens in Genesee County at an arraignment?
In Genesee County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Mandatory Appearances in Genesee County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Genesee 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.
I need help for my Genesee 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 Genesee 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 Genesee 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 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.
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 Genesee 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.
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.
Genesee County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Genesee County will take place at the Genesee County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Genesee County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
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.
Who is the prosecutor for Genesee County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Genesee County criminal cases will either be a representative of Genesee County or a representative from Michigan. 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.
Genesee County Criminal Court Locations
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7th Circuit Court – Genesee
Address: 900 S Saginaw St, Flint MI 48502
Phone: 810-257-3220 Fax: 810-424-4455 -
67th District Court – Burton
Address: 4094 Manor Dr, Burton MI 48519
Phone: 810-743-5600 -
67th District Court – Central Court
Address: 630 S Saginaw St, #124, Flint MI 48502
Phone: 810-257-3170 -
67th District Court – Davison
Address: 200 E Flint St, #3, Davison MI 48423
Phone: 810-653-4126 -
67th District Court – Fenton
Address: 17100 Silver Pkwy, Ste C, Fenton MI 48430
Phone: 810-629-5318 -
67th District Court – Flushing
Address: 1415 Flushing Rd, Flushing MI 48433
Phone: 810-659-5659 -
67th District Court – Grand Blanc
Address: 8173 S Saginaw St, Grand Blanc MI 48439
Phone: 810-694-2552 -
67th District Court – Mt. Morris
Address: 11820 N Saginaw St, Mt. Morris MI 48458
Phone: 810-686-7140 -
68th District Court – Flint
Address: 630 S Saginaw St, Flint MI 48502
Phone: 810-766-8968