Buckingham County Criminal Court

Buckingham County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Buckingham County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Buckingham County.

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.

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 Buckingham County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Buckingham County Criminal Court

Buckingham County Criminal Court

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.

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.

Required Court Appearances in Buckingham County

Any required court appearances in Buckingham 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.

If guilty, who sentences the defendant?

If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.

Buckingham County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Buckingham County will take place at the Buckingham County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Buckingham County Criminal Court Locations.

Jury Deliberations in Buckingham County

In Buckingham 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.

Arraignments in Buckingham County

During an arraignment in Buckingham 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 Buckingham 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 Buckingham County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

Who can help me in Buckingham County?

For general information about your case the Buckingham 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.

Buckingham County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Buckingham County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Buckingham County. The Buckingham 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.

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Buckingham County Criminal Court Locations

  • Buckingham County Circuit Court – 10th Judicial Circuit

    Address: 13061 W James Anderson Hwy, PO Box 107, Buckingham VA 23921
    Phone: 434-969-4734 Fax: 434-969-2043

  • Buckingham County General District Court – 10th Judicial District

    Address: 13049 W James Anderson Hwy, PO Box 127, Buckingham VA 23921
    Phone: 434-969-4755 Fax: 434-969-1672

  • Buckingham County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

    Address: 13049 W James Anderson Hwy, PO Box 127, Buckingham VA 23921
    Phone: 434-969-4755 Fax: 434-969-1672

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