Carbon County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Carbon County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Carbon County.
Jury Deliberations in Carbon County
In Carbon 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.
Carbon County Criminal Court
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 Carbon 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.
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.
Carbon County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Carbon County will take place at the Carbon County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Carbon County Criminal Court Locations.
Required Court Appearances in Carbon County
Any required court appearances in Carbon 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.
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.
Who is the prosecutor for Carbon County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Carbon County criminal cases will either be a representative of Carbon County or a representative from Wyoming. 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.
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 Carbon County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Arraignments in Carbon County
During an arraignment in Carbon County, 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 Carbon County, 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 Carbon County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Sentencing in Carbon County
In Carbon 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.
I need help for my Carbon 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 Carbon 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 Carbon 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.
Carbon County Criminal Court Locations
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Carbon County District Court
Address: 415 West Pine Street, PO Box 67, Rawlins, WY 82301
Phone: 307-328-2628 Fax: 307-328-2629 -
Carbon County Circuit Court
Address: 415 West Pine Street, Rawlins, WY 82301
Phone: 307-324-6655 Fax: 307-324-9465 -
Baggs Municipal Court
Address: 130 South Penland Street, Baggs, WY 82321
Phone: 307-383-7335 -
Dixon Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 38, Dixon, WY 82323
Phone: 307-383-2555 Fax: 307-383-2556 -
Encampment Municipal Court
Address: 622 Rankin Avenue, PO Box 5, Encampment, WY 82325
Phone: 307-327-5501 Fax: 307-327-5787 -
Hanna Municipal Court
Address: 301 South Adams, PO Box 99, Hanna, WY 82327
Phone: 307-325-9424 Fax: 307-325-9625 -
Medicine Bow Municipal Court
Address: 319 Pine Street, Medicine Bow, WY 82329
Phone: 307-379-2225 Fax: 307-379-2210 -
Rawlins Municipal Court
Address: 521 West Cedar Street, PO Box 953, Rawlins, WY 82301
Phone: 307-328-4535 Fax: 307-328-4555 -
Saratoga Municipal Court
Address: 110 East Spring Avenue, Saratoga, WY 82331
Phone: 307-326-8335 -
Sinclair Municipal Court
Address: 300 Lincoln Avenue, PO Box 247, Sinclair, WY 82334
Phone: 307-324-3058 Fax: 307-324-5520