Rockland County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Rockland County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Rockland County.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Rockland 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 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.
Rockland County Criminal Court
I need help for my Rockland 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 Rockland 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 Rockland 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.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Rockland County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Rockland County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Rockland 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 Rockland 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.
Rockland County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Rockland County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Who is the prosecutor for Rockland County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Rockland County criminal cases will either be a representative of Rockland 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.
Sentencing in Rockland County
In Rockland 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.
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.
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.
Rockland County Required Court Appearances
In Rockland 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.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Rockland County Criminal Court Locations
-
Rockland County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 1 South Main Street, New City NY 10956
Phone: 845-483-8260 Fax: 845-638-5632 -
Rockland County Court
Address: 1 South Main Street, New City NY 10956
Phone: 845-483-8310 Fax: 845-638-5312 -
Airmont Justice Court
Address: 251 Cherry Lane, PO Box 578, Tallman NY 10982
Phone: 845-357-3980 -
Chestnut Ridge Village Court
Address: 277 Old Nyack Turnpike, Chestnut Ridge NY 10977
Phone: 845-425-3108 Fax: 845-352-6277 -
Clarkstown Justice Court
Address: 20 Maple Avenue, New City NY 10956
Phone: 845-639-5960 Fax: 845-639-5910 -
Grand View-on-Hudson Village Court
Address: 282 South Broadway, South Nyack NY 10960
Phone: 845-358-5078 Fax: 845-358-2714 -
Haverstraw Town Justice Court
Address: One Rosman Road, Garnerville NY 10923
Phone: 845-947-0020 Ext. 136 Fax: 845-947-0097 -
Haverstraw Village Justice Court
Address: 40 New Main Street, Haverstraw NY 10927
Phone: 845-947-4063 Fax: 845-429-0109 -
Hillburn Village Court
Address: Village Hall, 31 Mountain Avenue, Hillburn NY 10931
Phone: 845-357-2036 Fax: 845-357-4933 -
New Square Village Court
Address: 766 North Main Street, Spring Valley NY 10977
Phone: 845-354-5778 -
Nyack Justice Court
Address: 9 North Broadway, Nyack NY 10960
Phone: 845-358-4464 Fax: 845-358-0544 -
Orangetown Justice Court
Address: Town Hall, 26 Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg NY 10962
Phone: 845-359-5100 Ext. 2248 -
Piermont Village Court
Address: 478 Piermont Avenue, Piermont NY 10968
Phone: 845-359-1258 Ext. 2 -
Ramapo Justice Court
Address: 237 Route 59, Suffern NY 10901
Phone: 845-357-5100 Ext. 239 -
Sloatsburg Justice Court
Address: 96 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg NY 10974
Phone: 845-753-5506 -
South Nyack Justice Court
Address: 282 South Broadway, South Nyack NY 10960
Phone: 845-358-5078 Fax: 845-358-2714 -
Spring Valley Justice Court
Address: 200 North Main Street, Spring Valley NY 10977
Phone: 845-517-1159 Ext. 140 Fax: 845-352-2245 -
Stony Point Justice Court
Address: 6 Patriot Hills Lane, Stony Point NY 10980
Phone: 845-786-2506 Fax: 845-786-3087 -
Suffern Village Court
Address: 61 Washington Avenue, Suffern NY 10901
Phone: 845-357-6424 -
Upper Nyack Justice Court
Address: 328 North Broadway, Upper Nyack NY 10960
Phone: 845-358-0202 -
Wesley Hills Village Court
Address: 432 Route 306, Wesley Hills NY 10952
Phone: 845-354-0404 -
West Haverstraw Justice Court
Address: 130 Samsondale Avenue, West Haverstraw NY 10993
Phone: 845-947-1013 Fax: 845-947-1560