Custer County Criminal Court

Custer County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Custer County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Custer County.

What happens in Custer County at an arraignment?

In Custer 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.

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.

Custer County Criminal Court

Custer County Criminal Court

Where will Custer County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Custer County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Custer County.

Required Court Appearances in Custer County

Any required court appearances in Custer 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.

Where can I get help for my Custer 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 Custer 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.

Jury Deliberations in Custer County

In Custer 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.

Who is the prosecutor for Custer County?

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

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 Custer 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.

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.

Defendant Sentencing

At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.

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.

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Custer County Criminal Court Locations

  • Custer County District Court

    Address: 603 B Street, PO Box D, Arapaho, OK 73620
    Phone: 580-323-3233 Fax: 580-331-1121

  • Arapaho Municipal Court

    Address: 667 Main Street, PO Box F, Arapaho, OK 73620
    Phone: 580-323-4376

  • Butler Municipal Court

    Address: 105 North Main Street, PO Box 145, Butler, OK 73625
    Phone: 580-664-3915

  • Clinton Municipal Court

    Address: 415 West Gary Blvd, Clinton, OK 73601
    Phone: 580-323-7244 Fax: 580-323-0346

  • Custer City Municipal Court

    Address: 644 Main Street, PO Box 8, Custer City, OK 73639
    Phone: 580-593-2312

  • Thomas Municipal Court

    Address: 122 West Broadway, PO Box 250, Thomas, OK 73669
    Phone: 580-661-3687

  • Weatherford Municipal Court

    Address: 522 West Rainey Avenue, Weatherford, OK 73096
    Phone: 580-772-1206

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