Jefferson County Criminal Court

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

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.

Jefferson County Criminal Court locations

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

Jefferson County Criminal Court

Jefferson County Criminal Court

I need help for my Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

Who is the prosecutor for Jefferson County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Jefferson County criminal cases will either be a representative of Jefferson 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.

Mandatory Appearances in Jefferson County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Jefferson 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.

What is the Burden of Proof?

The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Jefferson 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.

Right to Jury Trial

For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.

Can I appeal a guilty verdict?

If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.

Jefferson County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Jefferson County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

Sentencing in Jefferson County

In Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County Criminal Court Locations

  • Jefferson County Circuit Court

    Address: 300 2nd Street, PO Box 100, Hillsboro, MO 63050
    Phone: 636-797-5443 Fax: 636-797-5073

  • Arnold Municipal Court

    Address: 2101 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010
    Phone: 636-296-0595

  • Byrnes Mill Municipal Court

    Address: 127 Osage Executive Circle, Byrnes Mill, MO 63051
    Phone: 636-677-7727 Fax: 636-677-5533

  • Crystal City Municipal Court

    Address: 130 Mississippi Avenue, Crystal City, MO 63019
    Phone: 636-937-4604 Fax: 636-931-4634

  • DeSoto Municipal Court

    Address: 17 Boyd Street, DeSoto, MO 63020
    Phone: 636-586-3326 Fax: 636-586-9201

  • Festus Municipal Court

    Address: 711 West Main Street, Festus, MO 63028
    Phone: 636-937-1282 Fax: 636-937-2140

  • Herculaneum Municipal Court

    Address: 1 Parkwood Court, Herculaneum, MO 63048
    Phone: 636-479-4318

  • Hillsboro Municipal Court

    Address: 101 Main Street, PO Box 19, Hillsboro, MO 63050
    Phone: 636-797-3334 Fax: 636-789-2112

  • Jefferson County Municipal Court

    Address: 400 1st Street, PO Box 100, Hillsboro, MO 63050
    Phone: 636-797-6265 Fax: 636-797-6417

  • Kimmswick Municipal Court

    Address: 6041 3rd Street, PO Box 102, Kimmswick, MO 63053
    Phone: 636-464-7407 Fax: 636-464-4777

  • Pevely Municipal Court

    Address: 401 Main Street, PO Box 358, Pevely, MO 63070
    Phone: 636-475-3355 Fax: 636-475-4116

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