Bradley County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Bradley County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Bradley County.
Who is the prosecutor for Bradley County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Bradley County criminal cases will either be a representative of Bradley 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.
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.
Bradley County Criminal Court
Arraignments in Bradley County
During an arraignment in Bradley 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 Bradley 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 Bradley County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Bradley County
Any required court appearances in Bradley 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.
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.
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.
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.
Bradley County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Bradley County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Who can help me in Bradley County?
For general information about your case the Bradley 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.
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.
Bradley County Criminal Court Locations
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Bradley County Circuit Court
Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-728-7214 Fax: 423-476-0488 -
Bradley County Chancery Court
Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-728-7206 Fax: 423-339-0723 -
Bradley County Criminal Court
Address: 2230 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-728-7056 -
Bradley County General Sessions Court – Civil
Address: 155 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-728-7286 -
Bradley County General Sessions Court – Criminal
Address: 2230 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-728-7048 -
Bradley County Juvenile Court
Address: 1620 Johnson Boulevard SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-728-7081 Fax: 423-476-0538 -
Charleston City Court
Address: PO Box 431, Charleston, TN 37310
Phone: 423-336-1981 -
Cleveland City Court
Address: 190 Church Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone: 423-559-3309