York County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in York County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in York County.
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.
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.
York County Criminal Court
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
York County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in York County will take place at the York County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the York County Criminal Court Locations.
Jury Deliberations in York County
In York 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.
Mandatory Appearances in York County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in York County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
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.
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.
Who can help me in York County?
For general information about your case the York 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.
York County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in York County, the prosecutor will be a representative of York County. The York 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.
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.
Arraignments in York County
During an arraignment in York 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 York 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 York County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
York County Criminal Court Locations
-
York County Court of Common Pleas – Clerk of Courts (Criminal)
Address: 45 N George St, York PA 17401
Phone: 717-771-9612 Fax: 717-771-9096 -
York County Court of Common Pleas – Prothonotary (Civil)
Address: 45 N George St, York PA 17401
Phone: 717-771-9611 Fax: 717-771-4629 -
York County Orphans’ Court
Address: 45 N George St, York PA 17401
Phone: 717-771-9607 Fax: 717-771-4678 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-1-01
Address: 1285 E Princess St, York PA 17403
Phone: 717-771-4786 Fax: 717-771-4785 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-1-02
Address: 1215 Roosevelt Ave, York PA 17404
Phone: 717-771-4792 Fax: 717-771-4791 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-1-03
Address: 203 Dart Dr, Hanover PA 17331
Phone: 717-632-4565 Fax: 717-632-0373 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-1-04
Address: 232 S George St, York PA 17401
Phone: 717-771-4798 Fax: 717-771-4797 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-1-05
Address: 745 W Mason Ave, York PA 17401
Phone: 717-771-4796 Fax: 717-771-9538 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-2-01
Address: 118 Pleasant Acres Rd, York PA 17402
Phone: 717-840-7233 Fax: 717-840-7200 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-2-02
Address: 2756A S Queen St, Dallastown PA 17313
Phone: 717-747-5100 Fax: 717-747-5103 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-2-03
Address: 390 E Berlin Rd, York PA 17408
Phone: 717-793-5201 Fax: 717-793-5225 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-2-04
Address: 3202 Farmtrail Rd, York PA 17406
Phone: 717-767-5700 Fax: 717-767-5702 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-2-05
Address: 1410 Sixth Ave, York PA 17403
Phone: 717-845-5508 Fax: 717-854-5537 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-01
Address: 2997 Cape Horn Rd, Red Lion PA 17356
Phone: 717-244-4002 Fax: 717-246-1533 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-03
Address: 72 N Main St, #2, Stewartstown PA 17363
Phone: 717-993-6721 Fax: 717-993-9648 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-04
Address: 165 Fairview Ct, New Freedom PA 17349
Phone: 717-227-0688 Fax: 717-235-3582 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-05
Address: 20 Wayne Ave, #2, Hanover PA 17331
Phone: 717-632-0618 Fax: 717-632-1418 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-06
Address: 4824 Walters Hatchery Rd, Spring Grove PA 17362
Phone: 717-225-3301 Fax: 717-225-3307 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-07
Address: 2990 Grenway Rd, Dover PA 17315
Phone: 717-767-5708 Fax: 717-767-5720 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-09
Address: 700 Yorktown Rd, Lewisberry PA 17339
Phone: 717-938-2523 Fax: 717-938-4092 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-10
Address: 126 W Harrisburg St, #200, PO Box 415, Dillsburg PA 17019
Phone: 717-432-3618 Fax: 717-432-7695 -
York County Magisterial District Court 19-3-11
Address: 202 Rosedale Dr, Manchester PA 1734
Phone: 717-266-6891 Fax: 717-266-6895