Comanche County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Comanche County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Comanche County.
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.
Sentencing in Comanche County
In Comanche 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.
Comanche County Criminal Court
Jury Deliberations in Comanche County
In Comanche 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.
Where can I get help for my Comanche 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 Comanche 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.
Comanche County Required Court Appearances
In Comanche 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 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Comanche County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Comanche County criminal cases will either be a representative of Comanche County or a representative from Oklahoma. 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.
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.
What happens in Comanche County at an arraignment?
In Comanche 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.
Comanche County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Comanche County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Comanche 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.
Comanche County Criminal Court Locations
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Comanche County District Court
Address: 315 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: 580-355-4017 -
Cache Municipal Court
Address: 404 C Avenue, PO Box 466, Cache, OK 73527
Phone: 580-429-3354 -
Chattanooga Municipal Court
Address: 302 3rd Street, PO Box 165, Chattanooga, OK 73528
Phone: 580-597-3390 -
Elgin Municipal Court
Address: 8183 State Highway 17, PO Box 310, Elgin, OK 73538
Phone: 580-492-5777 -
Fletcher Municipal Court
Address: 154 East Lake Drive, PO Box 448, Fletcher, OK 73541
Phone: 580-549-6550 -
Geronimo Municipal Court
Address: 100 West Main Street, Geronimo, OK 73543
Phone: 580-353-5511 -
Indiahoma Municipal Court
Address: 900 Indiahoma Road, PO Box 38, Indiahoma, OK 73552
Phone: 580-246-3572 -
Lawton Municipal Court
Address: 102 SW 5th Street, Lawton, OK 73501
Phone: 580-581-3266 -
Medicine Park Municipal Court
Address: 154 East Lake Drive, Medicine Park, OK 73557
Phone: 580-529-2825 -
Sterling Municipal Court
Address: 2 North 2nd Street, PO Box 277, Sterling, OK 73567
Phone: 580-365-4445