Lyon County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Lyon County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Lyon County.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Lyon County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Lyon County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Lyon County. The Lyon County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Lyon County Criminal Court
Lyon County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Lyon County will take place at the Lyon County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Lyon County Criminal Court Locations.
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 Lyon County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
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.
I need help for my Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon 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.
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.
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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Lyon 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.
Lyon County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Lyon County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Lyon 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 Lyon 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.
Required Court Appearances in Lyon County
Any required court appearances in Lyon 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.
Lyon County Criminal Court Locations
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Lyon County District Court
Address: 31 South Main Street, Yerington, NV 89447
Phone: 775-463-6503 -
Canal Township Justice Court
Address: 565 East Main Street, Fernley, NV 89408
Phone: 775-575-3355 Fax: 775-575-3359 -
Dayton Justice Court
Address: 235 Main Street, Dayton, NV 89403
Phone: 775-246-6233 Fax: 775-246-6203 -
Walker River Justice Court
Address: 911 Harvey Way, Yerington, NV 89447
Phone: 775-463-6639 Fax: 775-463-6638 -
Fernley Municipal Court
Address: 595 Silver Lace Boulevard, Fernley, NV 89408
Phone: 775-784-9870 -
Yerington Municipal Court
Address: 102 South Main Street, Yerington, NV 89447
Phone: 775-463-3511 Ext. 11 Fax: 775-463-2284