Wayne County Criminal Court

Wayne County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Wayne County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Wayne County.

What is the Burden of Proof?

The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

Who is the prosecutor for Wayne County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Wayne County criminal cases will either be a representative of Wayne 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.

Wayne County Criminal Court

Wayne County Criminal Court

Sentencing in Wayne County

In Wayne 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.

Arraignments in Wayne County

During an arraignment in Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

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 Wayne 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.

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.

Wayne County Required Court Appearances

In Wayne 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 an attorney

The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Wayne County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

I need help for my Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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.

Wayne County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Wayne County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

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.

Jury Deliberations in Wayne County

In Wayne 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.

Wayne County Criminal Court Locations

  • Wayne County Surrogate’s Court

    Address: 54 Broad Street, Lyons NY 14489
    Phone: 315-946-5430 Fax: 315-946-5433

  • Wayne County Court

    Address: 54 Broad Street, Lyons NY 14489
    Phone: 315-946-5459 Fax: 315-946-5456

  • Arcadia Town Court

    Address: 100 East Miller Street, Newark NY 14513
    Phone: 315-331-8020

  • Butler Town Court

    Address: 4576 Butler Center Road, Wolcott NY 14590
    Phone: 315-594-2719

  • Galen Town Court

    Address: 6 South Park Street, PO Box 32, Clyde NY 14433
    Phone: 315-923-9375

  • Huron Town Court

    Address: 10880 Lummisville Road, Wolcott NY 14590
    Phone: 315-594-6511 Fax: 315-594-8075

  • Lyons Town Court

    Address: 43 Phelps Street, Lyons NY 14489
    Phone: 315-946-4076

  • Lyons Village Court

    Address: 76 William Street, Lyons NY 14489
    Phone: 315-946-4565

  • Macedon Town Court

    Address: 32 Main Street, Macedon NY 14502
    Phone: 315-986-5932

  • Macedon Village Court

    Address: 81 Main Street, Macedon NY 14502
    Phone: 315-986-1597

  • Marion Town Court

    Address: 3827 North Main Street, Marion NY 14505
    Phone: 315-926-4461 Fax: 315-926-4461

  • Newark Village Court

    Address: 100 East Miller Street, Newark NY 14513
    Phone: 315-331-7666 Fax: 315-331-5139

  • Ontario Town Court

    Address: 1846 Ridge Road, PO Box 580, Ontario NY 14519
    Phone: 315-524-6511 Ext. 7 Fax: 315-524-9385

  • Palmyra Town Court

    Address: 144 East Main Street, Palmyra NY 14522
    Phone: 315-597-5431 Fax: 315-597-0108

  • Palmyra Village Court

    Address: 144 East Main Street, Palmyra NY 14522
    Phone: 315-597-6757

  • Rose Town Court

    Address: 5074 North Main Street, PO Box 10, North Rose NY 14516
    Phone: 315-587-4419

  • Savannah Town Court

    Address: 1564 North Main Street, Savannah NY 13146
    Phone: 315-365-2811

  • Sodus Point Village Court

    Address: 8356 Bay Street, PO Box 159, Sodus Point NY 14555
    Phone: 315-483-6217 Fax: 315-483-4053

  • Sodus Town Court

    Address: 14 Mill Street, Sodus NY 14551
    Phone: 315-483-6934

  • Walworth Town Court

    Address: 3600 Lorraine Drive, Walworth NY 14568
    Phone: 315-986-8544 Fax: 888-848-0841

  • Williamson Town Court

    Address: 6380 Route 21, Suite 2, Williamson NY 14589
    Phone: 315-589-8250 Fax: 315-589-2363

  • Wolcott Town Court

    Address: 6070 Lake Avenue, PO Box 237, Wolcott NY 14590
    Phone: 315-594-8257

  • Wolcott Village Court

    Address: 6015 New Hartford Street, PO Box 85, Wolcott NY 14590
    Phone: 315-594-6437

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