Macon County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Macon County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Macon County.
Jury Deliberations in Macon County
In Macon 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.
Macon County Required Court Appearances
In Macon 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.
Macon County Criminal Court
Who can help me in Macon County?
For general information about your case the Macon 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.
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.
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.
Macon County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Macon County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
What happens in Macon County at an arraignment?
In Macon County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Macon County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Macon County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Macon County. The Macon 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Macon County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Macon County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Macon County Criminal Court Locations
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Macon County Circuit Court
Address: 904 Highway 52 Bypass East, Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: 615-666-2354 Fax: 615-666-3001 -
Macon County Chancery Court
Address: 906 Highway 52 Bypass East, Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: 615-666-2000 Fax: 615-666-8943 -
Macon County Criminal Court
Address: 904 Highway 52 East, Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: 615-666-2354 Fax: 615-666-3001 -
Macon County General Sessions Court
Address: 904 Highway 52 East, Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: 615-666-2354 Fax: 615-666-3001 -
Macon County Juvenile Court
Address: 904 Highway 52 East, Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: 615-666-2354 Fax: 615-666-3001 -
Lafayette City Court
Address: 118 East Locust Street, Lafayette, TN 37083
Phone: 615-666-4725 -
Red Boiling Springs City Court
Address: 166 Dale Street, Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150
Phone: 615-699-2011