Logan County Criminal Court

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

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.

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.

Logan County Criminal Court

Logan County Criminal Court

Logan County Required Court Appearances

In Logan County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.

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 Logan 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.

Logan County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Logan County will take place at the Logan County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Logan County Criminal Court Locations.

What happens in Logan County at an arraignment?

In Logan 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.

Who can help me in Logan County?

For general information about your case the Logan 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.

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.

Who is the prosecutor for Logan County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Logan County criminal cases will either be a representative of Logan County or a representative from West 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.

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.

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.

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Logan County Criminal Court Locations

  • Logan County Circuit Court

    Address: 300 Stratton Street, Logan, WV 25601
    Phone: 304-792-8550 Fax: 304-792-8555

  • Logan County Magistrate Court

    Address: 300 Stratton Street, Logan, WV 25601
    Phone: 304-792-8651 Fax: 304-752-0790

  • Chapmanville Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 426, Chapmanville, WV 25508
    Phone: 304-855-4582 Fax: 304-855-8484

  • Logan Municipal Court

    Address: 219 Dingess Street, PO Box 807, Logan, WV 25601
    Phone: 304-752-4044 Fax: 304-752-9316

  • Man Municipal Court

    Address: 105 Market Street, PO Box 70, Man, WV 25635
    Phone: 304-583-9631 Fax: 304-583-2741

  • Mitchell Heights Municipal Court

    Address: 305 Central Avenue, Mitchell Heights, WV 25601
    Phone: 304-752-9292

  • West Logan Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 5286, West Logan, WV 25601
    Phone: 304-752-3244 Fax: 304-752-3322

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