Walla Walla County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Walla Walla County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Walla Walla County.
Prosecutor in Walla Walla County
In Walla Walla County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Walla Walla County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Washington. For the most part, the prosecutor in Walla Walla County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
What happens in Walla Walla County at an arraignment?
In Walla Walla 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.
Walla Walla County Criminal Court
Walla Walla County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Walla Walla County will take place at the Walla Walla County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Walla Walla County Criminal Court Locations.
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 Walla Walla County
Any required court appearances in Walla Walla 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 can I get help for my Walla Walla County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Walla Walla County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
Sentencing in Walla Walla County
In Walla Walla 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.
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 an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Walla Walla County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Walla Walla County Criminal Court Locations
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Walla Walla County Superior Court
Address: 315 W Main Street, PO Box 836, Walla Walla WA 99362
Phone: 509-524-2780 -
Walla Walla County Superior Court – Juvenile
Address: 455 W Rose Street, PO Box 1754, Walla Walla WA 99362
Phone: 509-524-2800 Fax: 509-524-2836 -
Walla Walla County District Court
Address: 317 W Rose Street, Walla Walla WA 99362
Phone: 509-524-2760 Fax: 509-524-2775