Payne County Criminal Court

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

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Payne 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.

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.

Payne County Criminal Court

Payne County Criminal Court

Payne County Criminal Court hearings

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

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.

Where can I get help for my Payne 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 Payne 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.

Payne County Required Court Appearances

In Payne 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Payne 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.

Payne County Prosecutor

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

Sentencing in Payne County

In Payne 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.

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.

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.

What happens in Payne County at an arraignment?

In Payne 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.

Payne County Criminal Court Locations

  • Payne County District Court

    Address: 606 South Husband Street, Stillwater, OK 74074
    Phone: 405-372-4774 Fax: 405-372-2654

  • Cushing Municipal Court

    Address: 317 West Broadway Street, Cushing, OK 74023
    Phone: 918-225-1115

  • Glencoe Municipal Court

    Address: 220 West Shepard Street, PO Box 198, Glencoe, OK 74032
    Phone: 580-669-2271

  • Perkins Municipal Court

    Address: 110 North Main Street, PO Box 9, Perkins, OK 74059
    Phone: 405-547-2445 Fax: 405-547-5440

  • Ripley Municipal Court

    Address: 203 South Morton Avenue, Ripley, OK 74062
    Phone: 918-372-4287

  • Stillwater Municipal Court

    Address: 723 South Lewis Street, PO Box 1725, Stillwater, OK 74076
    Phone: 405-742-8253 Fax: 405-533-8421

  • Yale Municipal Court

    Address: 209 North Main Street, Yale, OK 74085
    Phone: 918-387-2405 Fax: 918-387-2402

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