Douglas County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Douglas County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Douglas County.
Who is the prosecutor for Douglas County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Douglas County criminal cases will either be a representative of Douglas County or a representative from Oregon. 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.
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.
Douglas 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.
Required Court Appearances in Douglas County
Any required court appearances in Douglas County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Douglas County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Douglas County will take place at the Douglas County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Douglas County Criminal Court Locations.
Who can help me in Douglas County?
For general information about your case the Douglas 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Douglas 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.
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 Douglas County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Jury Deliberations in Douglas County
In Douglas 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.
Arraignments in Douglas County
During an arraignment in Douglas County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Douglas County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Douglas County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Douglas County Criminal Court Locations
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Douglas County Circuit Court
Address: 1036 SE Douglas Street, Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone: 541-957-2471 -
Canyonville Municipal Court
Address: 249 NE Main Street, PO Box 376, Canyonville, OR 97417
Phone: 541-839-4389 -
Glendale Municipal Court
Address: 222 Gilbert Avenue, PO Box 325, Glendale, OR 97442
Phone: 541-832-2101 -
Myrtle Creek Municipal Court
Address: 207 NW Pleasant Street, PO Box 940, Myrtle Creek, OR 97457
Phone: 541-863-3171 -
Reedsport Municipal Court
Address: 451 Winchester Avenue, Reedsport, OR 97467
Phone: 541-271-3603 -
Roseburg Municipal Court
Address: 900 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone: 541-492-6720 -
Sutherlin Municipal Court
Address: 126 East Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479
Phone: 541-459-4636 Fax: 541-459-4953 -
Winston Municipal Court
Address: 201 NW Douglas Blvd, Winston, OR 97496
Phone: 541-679-5561 Fax: 541-679-0794 -
Yoncalla Municipal Court
Address: 2640 Eagle Valley Road, PO Box 508, Yoncalla, OR 97499
Phone: 541-849-2152 Fax: 541-849-2552 -
Douglas County Justice Court – Canyonville
Address: 249 NE Main Street, PO Box 376, Canyonville, OR 97417
Phone: 541-839-4389 -
Douglas County Justice Court – Drain
Address: 135 2nd Street, PO Box 513, Drain, OR 97435
Phone: 541-836-2814 -
Douglas County Justice Court – Glendale
Address: 222 Gilbert Avenue, PO Box 325, Glendale, OR 97442
Phone: 541-832-2101 -
Douglas County Justice Court – Reedsport
Address: 680 Fir Street, Reedsport, OR 97467
Phone: 541-271-4868 Fax: 541-271-4869