Polk County Criminal Court

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

Required Court Appearances in Polk County

Any required court appearances in Polk 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.

Prosecutor in Polk County

In Polk County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Polk County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Oregon. For the most part, the prosecutor in Polk County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

Polk County Criminal Court

Polk County Criminal Court

What is Jury Deliberation?

After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.

Polk County Criminal Court hearings

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

Sentencing in Polk County

In Polk 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.

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.

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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Polk 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.

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.

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.

I need help for my Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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.

What happens in Polk County at an arraignment?

In Polk 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.

Polk County Criminal Court Locations

  • Polk County Circuit Court

    Address: 850 Main Street, Room 301, Dallas, OR 97338
    Phone: 503-623-3154

  • Dallas Municipal Court

    Address: 187 SE Court Street, Dallas, OR 97338
    Phone: 503-831-3576 Fax: 503-831-3594

  • Falls City Municipal Court

    Address: 299 Mill Street, Falls City, OR 97344
    Phone: 503-787-3631

  • Independence Municipal Court

    Address: 240 Monmouth Street, PO Box 7, Independence, OR 97351
    Phone: 503-838-1212

  • Monmouth Municipal Court

    Address: 151 Main Street West, Monmouth, OR 97361
    Phone: 503-751-0136

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