Ravalli County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Ravalli County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Ravalli County.
Jury Deliberations in Ravalli County
In Ravalli 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.
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 Ravalli County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Ravalli County Criminal Court
Where can I get help for my Ravalli 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 Ravalli 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.
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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Ravalli 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.
Ravalli County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Ravalli County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Ravalli 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 Ravalli 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.
Prosecutor in Ravalli County
In Ravalli County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Ravalli County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Montana. For the most part, the prosecutor in Ravalli County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Ravalli County Required Court Appearances
In Ravalli County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
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.
Ravalli County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Ravalli County will take place at the Ravalli County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Ravalli County Criminal Court Locations.
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.
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.
Ravalli County Criminal Court Locations
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Ravalli County District Court – 21st Judicial District
Address: 205 Bedford Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-375-6710 Fax: 406-375-6721 -
Ravalli County Justice Court 1
Address: 205 Bedford Street, Suite E, Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-375-6755 Fax: 406-375-6759 -
Ravalli County Justice Court 2
Address: 205 Bedford Street, Suite F, Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-375-6765 Fax: 406-375-6768 -
Darby City Court
Address: 101 East Tanner Avenue, PO Box 37, Darby, MT 59829
Phone: 406-821-3748 Fax: 406-821-3244 -
Hamilton City Court
Address: 223 South Second Street, Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: 406-363-6823 Fax: 406-363-0181 -
Pinesdale City Court
Address: PO Box 228, Pinesdale, MT 59841
Phone: 406-961-5660 -
Stevensville City Court
Address: 206 Buck Street, PO Box 30, Stevensville, MT 59870
Phone: 406-777-5271 Fax: 406-777-4284