Kiowa County Criminal Court

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

Kiowa County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Kiowa County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Kiowa County. The Kiowa 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.

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 Kiowa County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Kiowa County Criminal Court

Kiowa County Criminal Court

Kiowa County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Kiowa County will take place at the Kiowa County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Kiowa County Criminal Court Locations.

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 Kiowa 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 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.

What happens in Kiowa County at an arraignment?

In Kiowa 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.

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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Kiowa 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.

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.

Mandatory Appearances in Kiowa County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Kiowa County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.

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 can help me in Kiowa County?

For general information about your case the Kiowa County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.

Kiowa County Criminal Court Locations

  • Kiowa County District Court

    Address: 316 South Main Street, PO Box 854, Hobart, OK 73651
    Phone: 580-726-5125 Fax: 580-726-2340

  • Gotebo Municipal Court

    Address: 400 West Commercial Avenue, Gotebo, OK 73041
    Phone: 580-538-5351

  • Hobart Municipal Court

    Address: 111 East 3rd Street, Hobart, OK 73651
    Phone: 580-726-3100

  • Lone Wolf Municipal Court

    Address: 1037 Main Street, Lone Wolf, OK 73655
    Phone: 580-846-9078

  • Mountain View Municipal Court

    Address: 321 Main Street, Mountain View, OK 73062
    Phone: 580-347-2711

  • Snyder Municipal Court

    Address: 721 East Street, Snyder, OK 73566
    Phone: 580-569-2119

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