Madison County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Madison County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Madison County.
Madison County Required Court Appearances
In Madison 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.
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.
Madison County Criminal Court
Where can I get help for my Madison 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 Madison 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
Who is the prosecutor for Madison County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Madison County criminal cases will either be a representative of Madison 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.
Madison County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Madison County will take place at the Madison County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Madison County Criminal Court Locations.
What happens in Madison County at an arraignment?
In Madison 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.
Madison County Criminal Court Locations
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Madison County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 138 North Court Street, PO Box 607, Wampsville NY 13163
Phone: 315-366-2392 Fax: 646-963-6594 -
Madison County Court
Address: 138 North Court Street, PO Box 545, Wampsville NY 13163
Phone: 315-366-2266 Fax: 646-963-6588 -
Oneida City Court
Address: 109 North Main Street, Oneida NY 13421
Phone: 315-266-4740 Fax: 646-963-6435 -
Brookfield Town Court
Address: 10535 Main Street, PO Box 103, Brookfield NY 13314
Phone: 315-899-5856 -
Canastota Village Court
Address: 205 South Peterboro Street, Canastota NY 13032
Phone: 315-697-9410 Fax: 315-698-8666 -
Cazenovia Town Court
Address: 7 Albany Street, Cazenovia NY 13035
Phone: 315-655-9213 (Town Hall) or 315-662-3169 (Justice Palmer) or 315-655-9213 ext 7 (Justice Moore) -
Cazenovia Village Court
Address: 90 Albany Street, Cazenovia NY 13035
Phone: 315-655-4011 Fax: 315-655-4260 -
Chittenango Village Court
Address: 222 Genesee Street, Chittenango NY 13037
Phone: 315-687-3937 Fax: 315-687-6622 -
De Ruyter Town Court
Address: Town Hall, 735 Utica Street, PO Box 384, De Ruyter NY 13052
Phone: 315-852-9650 Fax: 315-852-9701 -
Eaton Town Court
Address: 35 Cedar St, PO Box 66, Morrisville NY 13408
Phone: 315-684-3154 Fax: 315-684-9299 -
Fenner Town Court
Address: 3151 Fenner East Road, Cazenovia NY 13035
Phone: 315-655-2062 -
Georgetown Town Court
Address: Main Street, Route 26, PO Box 127, Georgetown NY 13072
Phone: 315-837-4226 -
Hamilton Town Court
Address: 60 Montgomery Street, PO Box 119, Hamilton NY 13346
Phone: 315-824-3508 Fax: 315-824-5604 -
Hamilton Village Court
Address: 60 Montgomery Street, Hamilton NY 13346
Phone: 315-824-3508 Fax: 315-824-5604 -
Lebanon Town Court
Address: 1210 Bradley Brook Road, PO Box 49 E, Earlville NY 13332
Phone: 315-837-4844 Fax: 315-837-4844 -
Lenox Town Court
Address: 205 South Peterboro Street, Canastota NY 13032
Phone: 315-697-9410 Fax: 315-697-8666 -
Lincoln Town Court
Address: PO Box 101, Wampsville NY 13163
Phone: 315-697-8837 -
Madison Town Court
Address: 7358 State Route 20, PO Box 42, Madison NY 13402
Phone: 315-893-7544 Fax: 315-893-7425 -
Morrisville Village Court
Address: 35 Cedar Street, PO Box 66, Morrisville NY 13408
Phone: 315-684-3154 Fax: 315-684-9299 -
Nelson Town Court
Address: 4085 Nelson Road, Cazenovia NY 13035
Phone: 315-655-8582 ext 6 Fax: 315-655-4389 -
Smithfield Town Court
Address: 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, PO Box 146, Peterboro NY 13134
Phone: 315-684-9200 Fax: 315-684-1034 -
Stockbridge Town Court
Address: Main Street, PO Box 143, Munnsville NY 13409
Phone: 315-495-2586 ext 3 (Town Hall) or 315-495-6581 (Town Clerk) -
Sullivan Town Court
Address: 7507 Lakeport Road, Chittenango NY 13037
Phone: 315-687-3347 Fax: 315-687-1098