Roanoke Criminal Court

Roanoke Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Roanoke. See below for more information about criminal cases in Roanoke.

Where will Roanoke criminal case hearings take place?

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

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.

Roanoke Criminal Court

Roanoke Criminal Court

Jury Deliberations in Roanoke

In Roanoke, 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.

Defendant Sentencing

At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.

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.

Roanoke Prosecutor

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

Who can help me in Roanoke?

For general information about your case the Roanoke 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.

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

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.

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.

Roanoke Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Roanoke this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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.

Required Court Appearances in Roanoke

Any required court appearances in Roanoke 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.

Roanoke Criminal Court Locations

  • Roanoke County Circuit Court – 23rd Judicial Circuit

    Address: 305 E Main St, PO Box 1126, Salem VA 24153
    Phone: 540-387-6205 Fax: 540-387-6145

  • Roanoke County General District Court – 23rd Judicial District

    Address: 305 E Main St, PO Box 997, Salem VA 24153
    Phone: 540-387-6168 Fax: 540-387-6066

  • Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

    Address: 305 E Main St, Salem VA 24153
    Phone: 540-387-6160 Fax: 540-387-6231

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