Anderson County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Anderson County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Anderson 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.
Jury Deliberations in Anderson County
In Anderson 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.
Anderson County Criminal Court
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.
Arraignments in Anderson County
During an arraignment in Anderson 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 Anderson 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 Anderson County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Anderson County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Anderson County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
I need help for my Anderson 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 Anderson 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 Anderson 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.
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 Anderson 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.
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.
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.
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.
Prosecutor in Anderson County
In Anderson County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Anderson County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Tennessee. For the most part, the prosecutor in Anderson County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Required Court Appearances in Anderson County
Any required court appearances in Anderson 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.
Anderson County Criminal Court Locations
-
Anderson County Circuit Court
Address: 100 North Main Street, Room 309, Clinton, TN 37716
Phone: 865-463-6842 Fax: 865-259-2345 -
Anderson County Chancery Court
Address: 100 North Main Street, Room 308, Clinton, TN 37716
Phone: 865-457-6205 -
Anderson County General Sessions I Court
Address: 100 North Main Street, Room 309, Clinton, TN 37716
Phone: 865-457-6214 Fax: 865-463-8034 -
Anderson County General Sessions II Court
Address: 101 Bus Terminal Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: 865-482-0081 Fax: 865-483-3004 -
Anderson County Juvenile Court
Address: 101 South Main Street, Suite 200, Clinton, TN 37716
Phone: 865-457-6224 Fax: 865-463-8946 -
Clinton City Court
Address: 100 Main Street, Clinton, TN 37716
Phone: 865-259-1210 -
Lake City City Court
Address: 195 South Main Street, PO Box 66, Lake City, TN 37769
Phone: 865-426-2838 Fax: 865-426-8990 -
Norris City Court
Address: 20 Chesnut Drive, PO Box 1090, Norris, TN 37828
Phone: 865-494-7645 Fax: 865-494-7302 -
Oak Ridge City Court
Address: 200 South Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: 865-425-3536 -
Oliver Springs City Court
Address: 906 East Tri-County Boulevard, Oliver Springs, TN 37840
Phone: 865-435-5946