Williamsburg Criminal Court

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

Williamsburg Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Williamsburg Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

Arraignments in Williamsburg

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

Williamsburg Criminal Court

Williamsburg Criminal Court

Mandatory Appearances in Williamsburg Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Williamsburg, 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.

Who is the prosecutor for Williamsburg?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Williamsburg criminal cases will either be a representative of Williamsburg or a representative from Virginia. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.

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.

Jury Deliberations in Williamsburg

In Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg 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.

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

I need help for my Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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.

Sentencing in Williamsburg

In Williamsburg 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.

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.

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.

Williamsburg Criminal Court Locations

  • Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court – 9th Judicial Circuit

    Address: 5201 Monticello Ave, #6, Williamsburg VA 23188
    Phone: 757-564-2242

  • Williamsburg/James City County General District Court – 9th Judicial District

    Address: 5201 Monticello Ave, #2, Williamsburg VA 23188
    Phone: 757-564-2400 Fax: 757-564-2410

  • Williamsburg/James City County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

    Address: 5201 Monticello Ave, #3, Williamsburg VA 23188
    Phone: 757-564-2200 Fax: 757-564-2343

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