Facing criminal charges in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, can feel overwhelmingly stressful. Not only can criminal charges carry serious consequences that will impact your life, depending on the type of charge, you could be prevented from living life on your own terms.
Such consequences can greatly impact your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Clinton County, PA, you need a strong defense. Call the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation online.
Clinton County Criminal Procedures
In Clinton County, criminal cases are overseen by both the Magisterial District Courts and the Court of Common Pleas.
Magisterial District Courts
Clinton County has three Magisterial District Courts located at:
- 301 Frederick St., Suite 100, Lock Haven, PA
- 385 Beech Creek Ave, Mill Hall, PA
- 112 Ninth Street, Renovo, PA
These courts have jurisdiction over a variety of cases, including:
- Traffic cases
- Minor criminal cases
- Civil cases involving amounts up to $12,000
- Preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases
In addition, the Magisterial District Courts also oversee arraignments, bail hearings, warrants, and preliminary hearings and act as the committing judges in all criminal cases. They also determine if a case should be dismissed or transferred to the Court of Common Pleas for further review.
Clinton County Magisterial District Courts Criminal Procedures
Once a defendant is charged with a crime in Clinton County, they will be brought to the Magisterial District Judge in their district for a preliminary arraignment. After reviewing the prosecution's charges, the Magisterial District Judge will schedule a preliminary hearing and decide if bail is necessary. If they believe bail to be necessary, they will also determine what to set bail at.
In general, bail is decided by looking at:
- The defendant's supposed motivations behind the alleged crime,
- Their ties to the Clinton County community,
- If the defendant poses a danger to the community, and
- Any prior convictions or court orders the defendant may have.
How your case moves through this court system will depend on the type of crime you allegedly committed. For instance, if the crime you are accused of has a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, like a summary offense, the Magisterial Court will oversee it. But if you are being accused of a misdemeanor, the Magisterial District Court could transfer your case to the Court of Common Pleas. However, if you are being accused of a felony, the Magisterial District Court will always move your case to the Court of Common pleas.
An important thing to note is that during the preliminary hearing, both the prosecution and the defendant will have ample time to present their cases. The burden falls on the prosecution to prove there is enough evidence to call for a formal trial. If the prosecution is unable to do this, the Magisterial District Judge may dismiss the case.
Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas serves as the primary trial court for Clinton County, dealing with more serious criminal offenses and higher-value civil disputes compared to the Magisterial District Courts. But unlike the Magisterial District Courts, there is only one Court of Common Pleas in the county, though it does have two judges. Additionally, it is in the Clinton County Courthouse at 230 East Water Street, Lock Haven, PA, and is responsible for overseeing:
- Formal arraignments,
- Judge or jury trials,
- Pre-trial motions,
- Post-trial motions, and
- Sentencing.
Moreover, this Court oversees a number of types of cases, such as:
- Criminal cases;
- Civil cases that exceed the jurisdictional limits of the lower courts;
- Specialty Courts, including the Behavioral Health Court, Treatment Court, and Regional Veterans Treatment Court;
- Summary appeals from cases that were originally tried in lower courts;
- Evidentiary hearings for various legal matters; and
- Petitions.
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Criminal Procedures
When the case is transferred from the Magisterial District Court to the Court of Common Pleas to oversee a defendant's formal arraignment, the judge will begin by reading the charges against them. The defendant will also be informed of their pretrial rights, including bail, a pretrial conference, and the option to choose a jury trial or a bench trial.
In Pennsylvania, defendants have the option for a jury trial if their misdemeanor or felony charge has them facing a sentence of more than six months in jail. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney from the moment you are charged will ensure you understand the difference between a jury trial and a bench trial, and which one is most beneficial for your case.
In addition, your criminal defense attorney will work tirelessly during this pretrial period to create a strategic defense on your behalf, gathering evidence and witness testimony to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
Once the trial starts, both sides will have the opportunity to present their sides of the case. However, like in the Magisterial District Court, the prosecution carries the burden of proof. That is, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the accused act.
The adjudicator (either the judge or the jury, depending on what trial you opted for) will determine, based on the evidence presented, if the state met its burden of proof. Afterwards, the Clinton County Probation & Parole Department will begin its pre-sentencing investigation to help the sentencing judge determine an appropriate punishment for the defendant.
Appealing Clinton County Criminal Convictions
Once the defendant is sentenced, they will have an opportunity to appeal the decision. Unfortunately, appeals can only be made on specific grounds and must be done within 30 days of the sentencing date or after post-sentencing motions are resolved. The experienced Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm understands how overwhelming an appeal can seem, especially after going through a trial. They will investigate an appeal and make sure you understand your rights.
Experienced Clinton County Criminal Defense Team
Getting accused of a crime in Clinton County can impact your entire life. Not only can it prevent you from moving around freely, but it can also impede you from continuing to work, seeing your family, or living with those you love.
The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team has spent years helping individuals in similar situations navigate the Clinton County criminal courts. They will conduct a thorough review of your case and create a strategic defense. Call our offices today 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation online.
