Coos County Criminal Court

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

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.

Coos County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Coos County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

Coos County Criminal Court

Coos County Criminal Court

Coos County Required Court Appearances

In Coos 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.

Right to Jury Trial

For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.

Jury Deliberations in Coos County

In Coos 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.

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

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.

Coos County Arraignments

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

Coos County Prosecutor

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

I need help for my Coos 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 Coos 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 Coos 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.

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.

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 Coos 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.

Coos County Criminal Court Locations

  • Coos County Circuit Court

    Address: 250 North Baxter Street, Coquille, OR 97423
    Phone: 541-396-7500

  • Coos County Circuit Court – North Bend Annex

    Address: 1975 McPherson Street, PO Box 865, North Bend, OR 97459
    Phone: 541-751-2300

  • Bandon Municipal Court

    Address: 555 Highway 101, PO Box 67, Bandon, OR 97411
    Phone: 541-347-2437 Fax: 541-347-1415

  • Coos Bay Municipal Court

    Address: 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420
    Phone: 541-269-8912

  • Coquille Municipal Court

    Address: 99 East 2nd Street, Coquille, OR 97423
    Phone: 541-396-2115

  • Myrtle Point Municipal Court

    Address: 424 5th Street, Myrtle Point, OR 97458
    Phone: 541-572-2626

  • Powers Municipal Court

    Address: 275 Fir Street, PO Box 250, Powers, OR 97466
    Phone: 541-439-3331

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