Dinwiddie County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Dinwiddie County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Dinwiddie County.
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.
Sentencing in Dinwiddie County
In Dinwiddie 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.
Dinwiddie County Criminal Court
I need help for my Dinwiddie 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 Dinwiddie 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 Dinwiddie 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.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in Dinwiddie County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Dinwiddie County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Dinwiddie County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Dinwiddie County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Dinwiddie County you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
Dinwiddie County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Dinwiddie County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Dinwiddie 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 Dinwiddie 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.
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.
Prosecutor in Dinwiddie County
In Dinwiddie County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Dinwiddie County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Virginia. For the most part, the prosecutor in Dinwiddie County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Jury Deliberations in Dinwiddie County
In Dinwiddie 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.
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.
Dinwiddie County Criminal Court Locations
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Dinwiddie County Circuit Court – 11th Judicial Circuit
Address: 14008 Boydton Plank Rd, PO Box 63, Dinwiddie VA 23841
Phone: 804-469-4540 Fax: 804-469-5386 -
Dinwiddie County General District Court – 11th Judicial District
Address: 14008 Boydton Plank Rd, PO Box 280, Dinwiddie VA 23841
Phone: 804-469-4533 Fax: 804-469-5383 -
Dinwiddie County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Address: 14008 Boydton Plank Rd, PO Box 280, Dinwiddie VA 23841
Phone: 804-469-4533 Fax: 804-469-5383