Davis County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Davis County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Davis County.
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 Davis County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Davis County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Davis County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Davis County. The Davis 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sentencing in Davis County
In Davis 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.
Where will Davis County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Davis County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Davis County.
Jury Deliberations in Davis County
In Davis 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.
Davis County Required Court Appearances
In Davis 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.
Arraignments in Davis County
During an arraignment in Davis 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 Davis 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 Davis County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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 Davis 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.
I need help for my Davis 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 Davis 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 Davis 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.
Davis County Criminal Court Locations
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2nd District Court – Davis County (Bountiful)
Address: 805 South Main Street, Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: 801-397-7008 Fax: 801-397-7010 -
2nd District Court – Davis County (Farmington)
Address: 800 West State Street, PO Box 769, Farmington, UT 84025
Phone: 801-447-3800 Fax: 801-447-3881 -
2nd District Court – Davis County (Layton)
Address: 425 North Wasatch Drive, Layton, UT 84041
Phone: 801-444-4300 Fax: 801-546-8224 -
2nd District Juvenile Court – Davis County
Address: 800 West State Street, PO Box 325, Farmington, UT 84025
Phone: 801-451-4900 Fax: 801-451-4950 -
Centerville Justice Court
Address: 250 North Main, Centerville, UT 84014
Phone: 801-295-8344 Fax: 801-294-0459 -
Clearfield Justice Court
Address: 55 South State, Clearfield, UT 84015
Phone: 801-525-2760 Fax: 801-525-2867 -
Clinton Justice Court
Address: 2267 North 1500 West, Clinton, UT 84015
Phone: 801-614-0760 Fax: 801-614-0772 -
Davis County Justice Court
Address: 800 West State Street, PO Box 618, Farmington, UT 84025
Phone: 801-451-4488 Fax: 801-451-4481 -
North Salt Lake Justice Court
Address: 10 East Center Street, North Salt Lake, UT 84054
Phone: 801-335-8640 Fax: 801-335-8649 -
South Weber Justice Court
Address: Phone: 801-479-3177, x203 Fax: 801-479-0066
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Sunset Justice Court
Address: 200 West 1300 North, Sunset, UT 84015
Phone: 801-825-3303 Fax: 801-614-9198 -
Syracuse Justice Court
Address: 1979 West 1900 South, Syracuse, UT 84075
Phone: 801-825-1477 Fax: 801-825-3001 -
Woods Cross Justice Court
Address: 1555 South 800 West, Woods Cross, UT 84087
Phone: 801-292-4421 Fax: 801-292-2225