Tipton County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Tipton County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Tipton County.
Required Court Appearances in Tipton County
Any required court appearances in Tipton 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.
Tipton County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Tipton County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Tipton County Criminal Court
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.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
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 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.
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.
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.
Tipton County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Tipton County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Tipton County. The Tipton 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.
I need help for my Tipton 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 Tipton 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 Tipton 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.
Arraignments in Tipton County
During an arraignment in Tipton 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 Tipton 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 Tipton County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Tipton County Criminal Court Locations
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Tipton County Circuit Court
Address: 1801 South College Street, Suite 102, Covington, TN 38019
Phone: 901-475-3310 -
Tipton County Chancery Court
Address: 1801 South College Street, Suite 110, Covington, TN 38019
Phone: 901-476-0209 Fax: 901-476-0246 -
Tipton County General Sessions Court
Address: 1801 South College Street, Suite 102, Covington, TN 38019
Phone: 901-475-3310 -
Tipton County Juvenile Court
Address: 1801 South College Street, Suite 103, Covington, TN 38019
Phone: 901-475-3322 Fax: 901-476-0259 -
Atoka City Court
Address: 334 Atoka Munford Avenue, PO Box 70, Atoka, TN 38004
Phone: 901-837-5302 -
Brighton City Court
Address: 139 North Main Street, PO Box 277, Brighton, TN 38011
Phone: 901-476-8661 -
Covington City Court
Address: 200 West Washington Avenue, PO Box 768, Covington, TN 38019
Phone: 901-476-9613 -
Mason City Court
Address: 12157 Main Street, Mason, TN 38049
Phone: 901-294-3525 -
Munford City Court
Address: 1397 Munford Avenue, Munford, TN 38058
Phone: 901-837-0171