Warren County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Warren County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Warren County.
I need help for my Warren 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 Warren 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 Warren 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.
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 Warren 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.
Warren County Criminal Court
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.
Required Court Appearances in Warren County
Any required court appearances in Warren 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.
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.
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.
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.
Warren County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Warren County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Warren County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Warren County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Warren County. The Warren 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.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Warren County
In Warren 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.
Arraignments in Warren County
During an arraignment in Warren 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 Warren 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 Warren County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Warren County Criminal Court Locations
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Warren County Surrogate’s Court
Address: 1340 State Route 9, Lake George NY 12845
Phone: 518-761-6514 Fax: 518-761-6511 -
Warren County Court
Address: 1340 State Route 9, Lake George NY 12845
Phone: 518-761-6430 Fax: 518-761-6253 -
Glens Falls City Court
Address: 42 Ridge Street, Glens Falls NY 12801
Phone: 518-798-4714 Fax: 518-453-8623 -
Bolton Justice Court
Address: 4949 Lake Shore Drive, PO Box 478, Bolton Landing NY 12814
Phone: 518-644-2202 Fax: 518-644-2726 -
Chester Town Court
Address: 6307 State Route 9, PO Box 486, Chestertown NY 12817
Phone: 518-494-3133 -
Hague Town Court
Address: 9793 Graphite Mountain Road, PO Box 509, Hague NY 12836
Phone: 518-543-6161 Ext. 18 Fax: 518-543-8047 -
Horicon Town Court
Address: 6604 State Route 8, PO Box 31, Brant Lake NY 12815
Phone: 518-494-7958 Fax: 518-494-3845 -
Johnsburg Town Court
Address: 2370 State Route 28, PO Box 178, Wevertown NY 12886
Phone: 518-251-5120 Fax: 518-251-5529 -
Lake George Town Court
Address: 20 Old Post Road, PO Box 392, Lake George NY 12845
Phone: 518-668-5420 Fax: 518-668-5420 -
Lake Luzerne Town Court
Address: 539 Lake Avenue, PO Box 31, Lake Luzerne NY 12846
Phone: 518-696-4294 -
Queensbury Town Court
Address: 81 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury NY 12804
Phone: 518-745-5571 Fax: 518-745-5576 -
Stony Creek Town Court
Address: 52 Hadley Road, Stony Creek NY 12878
Phone: 518-696-4518 -
Thurman Town Court
Address: 311 Athol Road, PO Box 134, Athol NY 12810
Phone: 518-623-9660 Fax: 518-623-9678 -
Warrensburg Town Court
Address: 3797 Main Street, Warrensburg NY 12885
Phone: 518-623-9776 Fax: 518-623-4367