Charles City County Criminal Court

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

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.

Sentencing in Charles City County

In Charles City 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.

Charles City County Criminal Court

Charles City County Criminal Court

Who can help me in Charles City County?

For general information about your case the Charles City 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.

Required Court Appearances in Charles City County

Any required court appearances in Charles City 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.

Where will Charles City County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Charles City County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Charles City County.

Jury Deliberations in Charles City County

In Charles City 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.

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 Charles City 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.

Prosecutor in Charles City County

In Charles City County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Charles City County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Virginia. For the most part, the prosecutor in Charles City County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

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.

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.

What happens in Charles City County at an arraignment?

In Charles City 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.

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.

Charles City County Criminal Court Locations

  • Charles City Circuit Court – 9th Judicial Circuit

    Address: 10780 Courthouse Rd, PO Box 86, Charles City VA 23030
    Phone: 804-652-2105 Fax: 804-829-5647

  • Charles City County General District Court – 9th Judicial District

    Address: 10780 Courthouse Rd, PO Box 57, Charles City VA 23030
    Phone: 804-652-2188 Fax: 804-829-6390

  • Charles City Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

    Address: 10780 Courthouse Rd, PO Box 57, Charles City VA 23030
    Phone: 804-652-2188 Fax: 804-829-6390

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