Outagamie County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Outagamie County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Outagamie County.
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 Outagamie County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
I need help for my Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Outagamie County 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.
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.
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.
Prosecutor in Outagamie County
In Outagamie County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Outagamie County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Wisconsin. For the most part, the prosecutor in Outagamie County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Required Court Appearances in Outagamie County
Any required court appearances in Outagamie 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.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Outagamie County
In Outagamie 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.
What happens in Outagamie County at an arraignment?
In Outagamie 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.
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.
Outagamie County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Outagamie County will take place at the Outagamie County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Outagamie County Criminal Court Locations.
Outagamie County Criminal Court Locations
-
Outagamie County Circuit Court
Address: 320 South Walnut Street, Appleton WI 54911
Phone: 920-832-5131 Fax: 920-832-5115 -
City of Kaukauna Municipal Court
Address: 201 West 2nd Street, PO Box 890, Kaukauna WI 54130
Phone: 920-766-6378 Fax: 920-766-6345 -
City of Seymour Municipal Court
Address: 328 North Main Street, Seymour WI 54165
Phone: 920-833-2209 -
Town of Grand Chute Municipal Court
Address: 1900 West Grand Chute Blvd, Grand Chute WI 54913
Phone: 920-832-1605 Fax: 920-832-1660 -
Village of Black Creek Municipal Court
Address: 103 Oak Street, PO Box 167, Black Creek WI 54106
Phone: 920-328-4383 Fax: 920-984-3287 -
Village of Combined Locks Municipal Court
Address: 405 Wallace Street, Combined Locks WI 54113
Phone: 920-788-7746 Fax: 920-788-7742 -
Village of Hortonville Municipal Court
Address: 531 North Nash Street, PO Box 99, Hortonville WI 54944
Phone: 920-779-9542 Fax: 920-779-6189 -
Village of Kimberly Municipal Court
Address: 515 West Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly WI 54136
Phone: 920-788-7500 Fax: 920-788-9723 -
Village of Little Chute Municipal Court
Address: 108 W Main Street, Little Chute WI 54140
Phone: 920-788-7380 Ext. 209 Fax: 920-788-7394 -
Village of Shiocton Municipal Court
Address: W5605 State Road 76, PO Box 96, Shiocton WI 54170
Phone: 920-986-9303 Fax: 920-986-3743