FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
If you are the defendant, you have a right to remain silent, and the judge and jury are not allowed to hold your silence against you. If you are a witness or victim, however, you must testify. If you have concerns about testifying, talk to the prosecutor or the crime victim assistance coordinator in the case.
You can call 727-3441. You will need to know the defendant's name, and, if possible, the date of the next hearing. The prosecutors are often in court all day, so please be prepared to leave a message with a phone number where you can be called before 4:30 p.m. Please note: If you are charged with an offense and have an attorney, a prosecutor will not speak with you. Have your attorney contact the prosecutor.
At arraignment the judge will determine whether your income makes you eligible for a court-appointed attorney.
If you have suffered a monetary loss, such as damage to your home or medical bills, because of a crime committed against you, the judge may order restitution in the amount of your loss if the defendant was found guilty. Please note that restitution is not ordered for lost work hours.
This is the first appearance a defendant makes in court. The judge will tell the defendant what the charge is, if the charge carries the possibility of a jail sentence, the judge will also set a date for a hearing of the case.
The judge may allow you to set up a time payment program, based on your income.
A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by a fine and no more than 12 months in jail. A felony is a crime that carries a potential prison sentence in the State Department of Corrections for one year or more.
- Class 1 misdemeanor: Confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
- Class 2 misdemeanor: Confinement in jail for not more than 6 months and a fine of not more than $1,000, either or both.
- Class 3 misdemeanor: A fine of not more than $500.
- Class 4 misdemeanor: A fine of not more than $250.