Bedford County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Bedford County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Bedford County.
The Right to Trial by Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.
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.
Bedford County Criminal Court
Bedford County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Bedford County will take place at the Bedford County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Bedford County Criminal Court Locations.
Who is the prosecutor for Bedford County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Bedford County criminal cases will either be a representative of Bedford County or a representative from Tennessee. 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.
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.
Bedford County Required Court Appearances
In Bedford County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Bedford County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Bedford County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Bedford 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 Bedford 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.
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 Bedford 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.
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.
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.
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.
Who can help me in Bedford County?
For general information about your case the Bedford 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.
Bedford County Criminal Court Locations
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Bedford County Circuit Court
Address: 1 Public Square, Suite 200, Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: 931-684-3223 Fax: 931-684-4141 -
Bedford County Chancery Court
Address: 1 Public Square, Suite 302, Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: 931-684-1672 Fax: 931-680-0144 -
Bedford County General Sessions Court
Address: 1 Public Square, Suite 200, Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: 931-684-3223 Fax: 931-684-4141 -
Bedford County Juvenile Court
Address: 1 Public Square, Suite 200, Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: 931-684-3223 Fax: 931-684-4141 -
Shelbyville City Court
Address: 109 Lane Parkway, Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: 931-684-5811 Fax: 931-684-0735 -
Wartrace City Court
Address: 29 Main Street East, PO Box 158, Wartrace, TN 37183
Phone: 931-389-6144