Clinton County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Clinton County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Clinton County.
Sentencing in Clinton County
In Clinton 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.
Where will Clinton County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Clinton County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Clinton County.
Clinton County Criminal Court
Required Court Appearances in Clinton County
Any required court appearances in Clinton 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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Clinton 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.
What happens in Clinton County at an arraignment?
In Clinton County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Who is the prosecutor for Clinton County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Clinton County criminal cases will either be a representative of Clinton County or a representative from New York. 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.
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 Clinton 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.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 Clinton County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
I need help for my Clinton 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 Clinton 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 Clinton 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.
Clinton County Criminal Court Locations
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Clinton County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh NY 12901
Phone: 518-565-4630 Fax: 518-285-4620 -
Clinton County Court
Address: 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh NY 12901
Phone: 518-565-4715 Fax: 518-285-8504 -
Plattsburgh City Court
Address: 24 US Oval, Plattsburgh NY 12903
Phone: 518-563-7870 Fax: 518-453-8624 -
Altona Town Court
Address: 3124 Miner Farm Road, PO Box 79, Altona NY 12910
Phone: 518-236-7621 -
Ausable Town Court
Address: 111 Ausable Street, Keeseville NY 12944
Phone: 518-834-6095 -
Beekmantown Town Court
Address: 571 Spellman Road, West Chazy NY 12992
Phone: 518-563-9930 Fax: 518-562-0294 -
Black Brook Town Court
Address: North Main Street, PO Box 715, Au Sable Forks NY 12912
Phone: 518- 647-5411 Ext. 25 -
Champlain Town Court
Address: 729 Route 9, PO Box 3144, Champlain, NY 12919
Phone: 518-298-8160 Ext. 207 -
Chazy Town Court
Address: 9631 Route 9, PO Box 219, Chazy NY 12921
Phone: 518-846-8600 Ext. 104 Fax: 518-846-3360 -
Clinton Town Court
Address: 23 Smith Street, PO Box 165, Churubusco NY 12923
Phone: 518-497-6133 Fax: 518-497-6053 -
Dannemora Town Justice Court
Address: 1168 Cook Street, PO Box 717, Dannemora NY 12929
Phone: 518-492-7541 Ext. 105 Fax: 518-492-7314 -
Dannemora Village Court
Address: 40 Emmons Street, PO Box 566, Dannemora NY 12929
Phone: 518-492-3046 Fax: 518-492-7341 -
Ellenburg Town Court
Address: 16 St. Edmund’s Way, PO Box 142, Ellenburg NY 12933
Phone: 518-594-7177 Fax: 518-594-3100 -
Mooers Town Court
Address: 2508 Route 11, Mooers NY 12958
Phone: 518-236-7927 Ext. 104 Fax; 518-236-6107 -
Peru Town Court
Address: 3036 Main Street, PO Box 596, Peru NY 12972
Phone: 518-643-2745 Ext. 1 Fax: 518-643-0527 -
Plattsburgh Town Court
Address: 151 Banker Road, Plattsburgh NY 12901
Phone: 518-562-6870 Fax: 518-563-8142 -
Rouses Point Village Court
Address: 139 Lake Street, PO Box 185, Rouses Point NY 12979
Phone: 518-297-6648 Ext. 334 Fax: 518-297-6649 -
Saranac Town Court
Address: 3668 Route 3, PO Box 147, Saranac NY 12981
Phone: 518-293-8082 Fax: 518-293-8082 -
Schuyler Falls Town Court
Address: 997 Mason Street, PO Box 99, Morrisonville NY 12962
Phone: 518-563-9066 Fax: 518-562-0157