Jackson County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Jackson County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Jackson County.
Who can help me in Jackson County?
For general information about your case the Jackson 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.
Jackson County Criminal Court
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Jackson 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.
Required Court Appearances in Jackson County
Any required court appearances in Jackson 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.
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.
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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Jackson County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
Who is the prosecutor for Jackson County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Jackson County criminal cases will either be a representative of Jackson County or a representative from Missouri. 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.
Jackson County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Jackson County will take place at the Jackson County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Jackson 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.
Jackson County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Jackson County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Jackson 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 Jackson 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.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Jackson County Criminal Court Locations
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Jackson County Circuit Court
Address: 415 East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-881-3000 -
Jackson County Circuit Court
Address: 308 West Kansas, Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-881-4400 -
Jackson County Circuit Court
Address: 1315 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-881-4350 -
Jackson County Circuit Court
Address: 625 East 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-474-3606 -
Blue Springs Municipal Court
Address: 1304 West Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015
Phone: 816-228-0175 Fax: 816-228-0229 -
Buckner Municipal Court
Address: 4 West Monroe, PO Box 377, Buckner, MO 64016
Phone: 816-650-3191 Ext. 4 Fax: 816-650-9797 -
Grain Valley Municipal Court
Address: 711 Main, Grain Valley, MO 64029
Phone: 816-847-6240 -
Grandview Municipal Court
Address: 1200 Main Street, Grandview, MO 64030
Phone: 816-316-4837 -
Greenwood Municipal Court
Address: Phone: 816-537-6969, Ext. 21 Fax: 816-537-7461
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Independence Municipal Court
Address: 111 East Maple Avenue, Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-325-7230 -
Jackson County Municipal Court
Address: 308 West Kansas, Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-881-1697 -
Kansas City Municipal Court
Address: 1101 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-513-2700 Fax: 816-513-3863 -
Lake Lotawana Municipal Court
Address: 100 Lake Lotawana Drive, Lake Lotawana, MO 64086
Phone: 816-578-2298 Fax: 816-578-5714 -
Lake Tapawingo Municipal Court
Address: 144 Anchor Drive, Lake Tapawingo, MO 64015
Phone: 816-224-6645 -
Lee’s Summit Municipal Court
Address: 10 NE Tudor Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
Phone: 816-969-1150 Fax: 816-969-1155 -
Levasy Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 68, Levasy, MO 64066
Phone: 816-650-3552 -
Lone Jack Municipal Court
Address: 207 North Bynum Road, Lone Jack, MO 64070
Phone: 816-697-2911 Fax: 816-697-8841 -
Oak Grove Municipal Court
Address: 2100 South Broadway, Oak Grove MO 64075
Phone: 816-690-3773 Ext. 1501 Fax: 816-690-6823 -
Raytown Municipal Court
Address: 10000 East 59th Street, Raytown, MO 64133
Phone: 816-737-6008 Fax: 816-737-7000 -
Sibley Municipal Court
Address: 108 Front Street, PO Box 216, Sibley, MO 64088
Phone: 816-650-9515 -
Sugar Creek Municipal Court
Address: 1001 Heroes Way, Sugar Creek, MO 64054
Phone: 816-521-7923 Ext. 286 Fax: 816-461-3493