Bates County Criminal Court

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

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 Bates 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.

Arraignments in Bates County

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

Bates County Criminal Court

Bates County Criminal Court

Sentencing in Bates County

In Bates 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Bates 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.

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 Bates County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

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.

I need help for my Bates 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 Bates 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 Bates 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.

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.

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.

Bates County Criminal Court locations

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

Required Court Appearances in Bates County

Any required court appearances in Bates 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.

Prosecutor in Bates County

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

Bates County Criminal Court Locations

  • Bates County Circuit Court

    Address: 1 North Delaware, Butler, MO 64730
    Phone: 660-679-5171

  • Adrian Municipal Court

    Address: 16 East 5th Street, PO Box 246, Adrian, MO 64720
    Phone: 816-297-2659

  • Amsterdam Municipal Court

    Address: 1 North Delaware, Amsterdam, MO 64723
    Phone: 660-267-3627

  • Butler Municipal Court

    Address: 22 West Ohio Street, PO Box 420, Butler, MO 64730
    Phone: 660-679-6465 Fax: 660-679-6658

  • Hume Municipal Court

    Address: 201 Main Street, PO Box 401, Hume, MO 64752
    Phone: 660-643-7111 Fax: 660-643-7176

  • Rich Hill Municipal Court

    Address: 120 North 7th, Rich Hill, MO 64779
    Phone: 417-395-2223 Fax: 417-395-4555

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.