Crawford County Criminal Court

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

Crawford County Criminal Court hearings

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

Prosecutor in Crawford County

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

Crawford County Criminal Court

Crawford County Criminal Court

Can I appeal a guilty verdict?

If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.

Sentencing in Crawford County

In Crawford 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Crawford 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.

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 Crawford 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.

Where can I get help for my Crawford 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 Crawford 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.

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.

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.

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.

Crawford County Arraignments

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

Required Court Appearances in Crawford County

Any required court appearances in Crawford 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.

Crawford County Criminal Court Locations

  • Crawford County Court of Common Pleas – Clerk of Courts (Criminal)

    Address: 903 Diamond Park, Meadville PA 16335
    Phone: 814-333-7442 Fax: 814-333-7349

  • Crawford County Court of Common Pleas – Prothonotary (Civil)

    Address: 903 Diamond Park, Meadville PA 16335
    Phone: 814-333-7324 Fax: 814-337-5416

  • Crawford County Orphans’ Court

    Address: 903 Diamond Park, Meadville PA 16335
    Phone: 814-333-7442 Fax: 814-333-7349

  • Crawford County Magisterial District Court 30-2-01

    Address: 89 Diamond Park, Meadville PA 16335
    Phone: 814-724-2736 Fax: 814-333-6587

  • Crawford County Magisterial District Court 30-3-01

    Address: 6121 US Highway 6, PO Box 128, Linesville PA 16424
    Phone: 814-683-2120 Fax: 814-683-5319

  • Crawford County Magisterial District Court 30-3-02

    Address: 10996 Perry Hwy, Meadville PA 16335
    Phone: 814-724-6322 Fax: 814-333-6834

  • Crawford County Magisterial District Court 30-3-03

    Address: 2100 Independence Dr, Saegertown PA 16433
    Phone: 814-763-2222 Fax: 814-763-2224

  • Crawford County Magisterial District Court 30-3-06

    Address: 150 W Central Ave, #2, Titusville PA 16354
    Phone: 814-827-6514 Fax: 814-827-3757

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