Greene County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Greene County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Greene County.
Arraignments in Greene County
During an arraignment in Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Greene 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.
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.
Greene County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Greene County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Greene County. The Greene 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.
I need help for my Greene 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 Greene 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 Greene 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.
Greene County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Greene County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Greene County Required Court Appearances
In Greene 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.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Jury Deliberations in Greene County
In Greene 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.
Greene County Criminal Court Locations
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Greene County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 320 Main Street, Catskill NY 12414
Phone: 518-444-8750 Fax: 518-943-5811 -
Greene County Court
Address: 320 Main Street, Catskill NY 12414
Phone: 518-444-8760 Fax: 518-943-0247 -
Ashland Town Court
Address: PO Box 129, Ashland NY 12407
Phone: 518-734-4760 Fax: 518-734-4760 -
Athens Town Court
Address: 2 First Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 132, Athens NY 12015
Phone: 518-945-3360 Fax: 518-945-1372 -
Cairo Town Court
Address: 512 Main Street, PO Box 755, Cairo NY 12413
Phone: 518-622-3388 Fax: 518-622-0172 -
Catskill Town Court
Address: 439-441 Main Street, Catskill NY 12414
Phone: 518-943-2142 Ext. 2 Fax: 518-943-7652 -
Catskill Village Court
Address: 422 Main Street, Catskill NY 12414
Phone: 518-943-9544 -
Coxsackie Town Court
Address: 119 Mansion Street, Coxsackie NY 12051
Phone: 518-731-6934 Fax: 518-731-9612 -
Durham Town Court
Address: 7309 Route 81, Durham NY 12423
Phone: 518-239-8260 Fax: 518-239-6389 -
Greenville Town Court
Address: 11159 Route 32, PO Box 38, Greenville NY 12083
Phone: 518-966-4873 Fax: 518-966-4873 -
Halcott Town Court
Address: 264 Route 3, Halcott Center NY 12430
Phone: 845-254-9920 -
Hunter Town Court
Address: 5748 Route 23 A, PO Box 70, Tannersville NY 12485
Phone: 518-589-5882 Ext. 305 Fax: 518-589-6673 -
Jewett Town Court
Address: 3547 County Route 23C, PO Box 132, Jewett NY 12444
Phone: 518-263-4626 -
Lexington Town Court
Address: 3542 Route 42, PO Box 92, Lexington NY 12452
Phone: 518-989-6303 Ext. 15 -
New Baltimore Justice Court
Address: 3809 County Route 51, Hannacroix NY 12087
Phone: 518-756-2079 -
Prattsville Town Court
Address: 14517 Main Street, Prattsville NY 12468
Phone: 518-299-3125 -
Tannersville Village Court
Address: 1 Park Lane, PO Box 967, Tannersville NY 12485
Phone: 518-589-7168 -
Windham Town Court
Address: 371 State Route 296, Hensonville NY 12439
Phone: 518-734-3431