Roosevelt County Criminal Court

Roosevelt County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Roosevelt County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Roosevelt County.

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.

Roosevelt County Arraignments

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

Roosevelt County Criminal Court

Roosevelt County Criminal Court

Roosevelt County Required Court Appearances

In Roosevelt 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.

Who can help me in Roosevelt County?

For general information about your case the Roosevelt 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.

Roosevelt County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Roosevelt County will take place at the Roosevelt County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Roosevelt County Criminal Court Locations.

Who is the prosecutor for Roosevelt County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Roosevelt County criminal cases will either be a representative of Roosevelt County or a representative from Montana. 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.

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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Roosevelt 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.

Sentencing in Roosevelt County

In Roosevelt 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.

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.

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 Roosevelt 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.

Roosevelt County Criminal Court Locations

  • Roosevelt County District Court – 15th Judicial District

    Address: 400 2nd Avenue South, Wolf Point, MT 59201
    Phone: 406-653-6266 Fax: 406-653-6203

  • Roosevelt County Justice Court – Culbertson

    Address: PO Box 421, Culbertson, MT 59218
    Phone: 406-787-6607 Fax: 406-787-6608

  • Roosevelt County Justice Court – Wolf Point

    Address: 400 2nd Avenue South, Wolf Point, MT 59201
    Phone: 406-653-6258 Fax: 406-653-6236

  • Bainville City Court

    Address: 211 Park Avenue, PO Box 92, Bainville, MT 59212
    Phone: 406-769-2623

  • Brockton City Court

    Address: PO Box 228, Brockton, MT 59213
    Phone: 406-786-3231 Fax: 406-786-3143

  • Culbertson City Court

    Address: PO Box 421, Culbertson, MT 59218
    Phone: 406-787-6607 Fax: 406-787-6608

  • Poplar City Court

    Address: 400 Second Avenue South, Wolf Point, MT 59201
    Phone: 406-653-6261 Fax: 406-653-6236

  • Wolf Point City Court

    Address: 400 2nd Avenue South, Wolf Point, MT 59201
    Phone: 406-653-6261 Fax: 406-653-6203

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.