Oklahoma County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Oklahoma County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Oklahoma County.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Oklahoma 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 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.
Oklahoma County Criminal Court
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.
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.
Who is the prosecutor for Oklahoma County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Oklahoma County criminal cases will either be a representative of Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.
Oklahoma County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Oklahoma County will take place at the Oklahoma County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Oklahoma County Criminal Court Locations.
What happens in Oklahoma County at an arraignment?
In Oklahoma 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.
Mandatory Appearances in Oklahoma County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Oklahoma 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.
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.
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.
I need help for my Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.
Oklahoma County Criminal Court Locations
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Oklahoma County District Court
Address: 320 Robert S. Kerr Avenue, Room 409, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: 405-713-1705 -
Oklahoma County District Court – Edmond Office
Address: 28 East Main Street, Edmond, OK 73003
Phone: 405-359-4515 -
Oklahoma County District Court – Juvenile Division
Address: 5905 North Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Phone: 405-713-6400 -
Bethany Municipal Court
Address: 6714 NW 36th Street, Bethany, OK 73008
Phone: 405-789-4935 -
Choctaw Municipal Court
Address: 13240 NE 23rd Street, Choctaw, OK 73020
Phone: 405-390-8198 Fax: 405-390-8607 -
Del City Municipal Court
Address: 4517 SE 28th Street, Del City, OK 73115
Phone: 405-671-2847 Fax: 405-671-2849 -
Edmond Municipal Court
Address: 101 East 1st Street, PO Box 2970, Edmond, OK 73034
Phone: 405-359-4360 Fax: 405-359-4726 -
Forest Park Municipal Court
Address: 4203 North Coltrane Road, Forest Park, OK 73121
Phone: 405-424-1212 -
Harrah Municipal Court
Address: 19625 NE 23rd Street, Harrah, OK 73045
Phone: 405-454-2951 -
Jones City Municipal Court
Address: 110 East Main Street, Jones City, OK 73409
Phone: 405-399-5301 -
Luther Municipal Court
Address: 119 South Main Street, PO Box 56, Luther, OK 73054
Phone: 405-277-3833 Fax: 405-277-9965 -
Midwest City Municipal Court
Address: 100 North Midwest Blvd, Midwest City, OK 73110
Phone: 405-739-1283 -
Nichols Hills Municipal Court
Address: 6407 Avondale Drive, Nichols Hills, OK 73116
Phone: 405-843-3358 Fax: 405-809-9522 -
Nicoma Park Municipal Court
Address: 2301 Nichols Drive, PO Box 250, Nicoma Park, OK 73066
Phone: 405-769-6838 Fax: 405-769-5679 -
Oklahoma City Municipal Court
Address: 700 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: 405-297-3898 Fax: 405-297-3641 -
Spencer Municipal Court
Address: 8200 NE 36th Street, Spencer, OK 73084
Phone: 405-771-3226 Fax: 405-771-3228 -
The Village Municipal Court
Address: 2304 Manchester Drive, The Village, OK 73120
Phone: 405-751-8861 Ext. 251 Fax: 405-748-7353 -
Valley Brook Municipal Court
Address: 1618 SE 59th Street, Valley Brook, OK 73129
Phone: 405-677-6948 -
Warr Acres Municipal Court
Address: 5930 NW 49th Street, Warr Acres, OK 73122
Phone: 405-495-3032 Fax: 405-787-5432