Oregon County Criminal Court

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

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Oregon 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Oregon 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.

Oregon County Criminal Court

Oregon County Criminal Court

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.

Arraignments in Oregon County

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

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.

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

Required Court Appearances in Oregon County

Any required court appearances in Oregon 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.

Sentencing in Oregon County

In Oregon 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.

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.

Prosecutor in Oregon County

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

Who can help me in Oregon County?

For general information about your case the Oregon 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.

Oregon County Criminal Court locations

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

Oregon County Criminal Court Locations

  • Oregon County Circuit Court

    Address: PO Box 406, Alton MO 65606
    Phone: 417-778-7460 Fax: 417-778-7206

  • Alton Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 211, Alton, MO 65606
    Phone: 417-778-6321

  • Koshkonong Municipal Court

    Address: 305 Luyster Road, Koshkonong, MO 65692
    Phone: 417-867-3260

  • Thayer City Municipal Court

    Address: 124 North 2nd Street, PO Box 76, Thayer, MO 65791
    Phone: 417-264-2055 Fax: 417-264-3324

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