Manassas Park Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Manassas Park. See below for more information about criminal cases in Manassas Park.
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 Manassas Park a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Prosecutor in Manassas Park
In Manassas Park, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Manassas Park. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Virginia. For the most part, the prosecutor in Manassas Park has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Manassas Park you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
Arraignments in Manassas Park
During an arraignment in Manassas Park, 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 Manassas Park, 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 Manassas Park the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Required Court Appearances in Manassas Park
Any required court appearances in Manassas Park 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.
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.
Where will Manassas Park criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Manassas Park. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Manassas Park.
Jury Deliberations in Manassas Park
In Manassas Park, 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.
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.
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.
Who can help me in Manassas Park?
For general information about your case the Manassas Park 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.
Manassas Park Criminal Court Locations
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Prince William County Circuit Court – 31st Judicial Circuit
Address: 9311 Lee Ave, Manassas VA 20110
Phone: 703-792-6015 Fax: 703-792-5746 (Criminal) 703-792-7750 (Civil/Probate) -
Prince William County General District Court – 31st Judicial District
Address: 9311 Lee Ave, Manassas VA 20110
Phone: 703-792-5787 -
Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Address: 9311 Lee Ave, Manassas VA 20110
Phone: 703-792-6160 Fax: 703-792-7863