Cache County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Cache County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Cache County.
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.
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 Cache 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.
Cache County Criminal Court
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.
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Cache County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
Sentencing in Cache County
In Cache County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Cache County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Cache County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Cache 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 Cache 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.
Cache County Required Court Appearances
In Cache 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.
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 Cache County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Where can I get help for my Cache County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Cache County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
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.
Prosecutor in Cache County
In Cache County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Cache County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Utah. For the most part, the prosecutor in Cache County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Where will Cache County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Cache County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Cache County.
Cache County Criminal Court Locations
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1st District Court – Cache County
Address: 135 North 100 West, Logan, UT 84321
Phone: 435-750-1300 Fax: 435-750-1355 -
1st District Juvenile Court – Cache County
Address: 135 North 100 West, Logan, UT 84321
Phone: 435-750-1300 Fax: 435-750-1281 -
Hyde Park / North Logan Justice Court
Address: 113 East Center, PO Box 489, Hyde Park, UT 84318
Phone: 435-563-6923 Fax: 435-563-9029 -
Hyrum Justice Court
Address: 83 West Main, Hyrum, UT 84319
Phone: 435-245-0114 Fax: 435-245-4470 -
Lewiston Justice Court
Address: 29 South Main, PO Box 36, Lewiston, UT 84320
Phone: 435-258-2141 Fax: 435-258-3621 -
Logan City Justice Court
Address: 446 North 100 West, Logan, UT 84321
Phone: 435-716-9540 Fax: 435-716-9559 -
Newton / Amalga Justice Court
Address: 51 South Center Street, PO Box 146, Newton, UT 84327
Phone: 435-563-9283 -
Nibley Justice Court
Address: 455 West 3200 South, Logan, UT 84321
Phone: 435-752-0431 Fax: 435-753-1510 -
Providence Justice Court
Address: 15 South Main, Providence, UT 84332
Phone: 435-752-9441 Fax: 435-753-1586 -
Richmond Justice Court
Address: 6 West Main, PO Box 9, Richmond, UT 84333
Phone: 435-258-2092 Fax: 435-258-3604 -
Smithfield Justice Court
Address: 96 South Main, Smithfield, UT 84335
Phone: 435-792-7987 Fax: 435-563-6227 -
Wellsville Justice Court
Address: 75 East Main, PO Box 6, Wellsville, UT 84339
Phone: 435-245-3686 Fax: 435-245-7958