Kingfisher County Criminal Court

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

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.

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.

Kingfisher County Criminal Court

Kingfisher County Criminal Court

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.

Prosecutor in Kingfisher County

In Kingfisher County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Kingfisher County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Oklahoma. For the most part, the prosecutor in Kingfisher County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Kingfisher 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.

Kingfisher County Required Court Appearances

In Kingfisher 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.

Where will Kingfisher County criminal case hearings take place?

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

Kingfisher County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Kingfisher County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher 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.

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.

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.

I need help for my Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher 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 Kingfisher 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.

Kingfisher County Criminal Court Locations

  • Kingfisher County District Court

    Address: 101 South Main Street, PO Box 324, Kingfisher, OK 73750
    Phone: 405-375-3893 Fax: 405-375-3744

  • Cashion Municipal Court

    Address: 102 South Main Street, PO Box 27, Cashion, OK 73016
    Phone: 405-433-2243

  • Dover Municipal Court

    Address: 231 East Elm, Dover, OK 73734
    Phone: 405-828-4212

  • Hennessey Municipal Court

    Address: 123 South Main Street, Hennessey, OK 73742
    Phone: 405-853-2416 Fax: 405-853-2494

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