Boone County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Boone County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Boone County.
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.
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.
Boone County Criminal Court
Prosecutor in Boone County
In Boone County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Boone County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Missouri. For the most part, the prosecutor in Boone County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Jury Deliberations in Boone County
In Boone 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 Boone County
Any required court appearances in Boone 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.
Where can I get help for my Boone 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 Boone 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.
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.
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 Boone 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 Boone County
During an arraignment in Boone 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 Boone 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 Boone County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Boone County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Boone County will take place at the Boone County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Boone County Criminal Court Locations.
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 Boone County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Boone County Criminal Court Locations
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Boone County Circuit Court
Address: 705 East Walnut Street, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573-886-4000 Fax: 573-886-4044 -
Ashland Municipal Court
Address: 109 East Broadway, PO Box 135, Ashland, MO 65010
Phone: 573-657-9062 Fax: 573-657-7018 -
Centralia Municipal Court
Address: 114 South Rollins, Centralia, MO 65240
Phone: 573-682-2139 Fax: 573-682-5956 -
Columbia Municipal Court
Address: 600 East Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573-874-7230 Fax: 573-874-7231 -
Hallsville Municipal Court
Address: 202 Highway 124 East, PO Box 170, Hallsville, MO 65255
Phone: 573-696-3885 Fax: 573-696-0605 -
Rocheport Municipal Court
Address: 108 Central Street, Rocheport, MO 65279
Phone: 573-698-3245 -
Sturgeon Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 387, Sturgeon, MO 65284
Phone: 573-687-3321 Fax: 573-687-3474