If you’ve driven through downtown Monroe, North Carolina, the centerpiece of town is the historic Union County Courthouse. While beautiful, it just wasn’t big enough to handle the number of cases coming in for disposition on criminal charges, civil lawsuits (car accidents, tort claims), family law issues (divorce, child custody), and other important legal matters like estates and civil filings.
It doesn’t matter if you’re supposed to appear in criminal court or civil court, the Union County Judicial Center on 400 N. Main Street is where Union County cases and legal disputes are handled. If you need to mail something to the Clerk of Court in Union County (criminal or civil) the mailing address is Post Office Box 5038, Monroe, North Carolina 28111.
What is “Calendar Call” for Criminal Charges in Monroe NC? Like other judicial districts in North Carolina, and given the number of criminal charges in Union County, the court system is broken down into the District Court Division and the Superior Court Division.
Examples of District Court (criminal court) cases are things like misdemeanor assault, assault and battery, misdemeanor larceny, traffic tickets, DWLR driving while license revoked, and DWI charges in Union County NC. That’s were many, if not most misdemeanor charges are handled. In District Court, the Judge (District Court Judge) makes rulings on the criminal laws and also serves as the “Finder of Fact.”
That means in criminal court, for most misdemeanor criminal charges and traffic tickets, the Judge serves two roles. As a Judge they decide things like the admissibility of evidence and procedural issues under the NC Rules of Criminal Procedure. As the “fact finder,” they decide whether the State has met its Burden of Proof, which in all North Carolina criminal courts is Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.
That’s different than Superior Court, where the Judge rules on issues of law, and normally the Jury decides guilt or innocence (guilty or not guilty). That process has changed a bit in the last few years, with a relatively recent amendment to the North Carolina Constitution, where people charged with criminal offenses (the Defendant) can waive their right to a Jury Trial and ask a Superior Court Judge to decide guilt or innocence.
Felony criminal charges may begin in District Court in Union County, following the NC criminal laws involving bond, probable cause, and indictment by Grand Jury. Subject to the rules of criminal court, misdemeanor charges may be appealed de novo to Superior Court.
Calendar Call in criminal court can vary between the jurisdiction and types of criminal charges. Some prosecutors in North Carolina (Assistant District Attorneys) prefer to call everyone charged and listed on the “docket” first thing in the morning.
Normally that is done in alphabetical order. In Superior Court, where many felony charges like robbery, felony larceny, obtaining property by false pretenses, sex crimes, felony assaults, manslaughter, and murder, the “trial calendar” may be called in the order matters are set for trial.
In Union County district court, criminal defense lawyers Monroe NC often check in early with the prosecutor. The district court trial courtroom is located on the second floor of the Union County Judicial Center. If the defense attorney and prosecutor agree, the case may be continued to another date or even handled that day, depending on what is to happen with the criminal charges.
In Monroe NC, especially for Motions to Continue, continuances and guilty pleas on criminal cases and traffic tickets, you may see lawyers handling several matters, one after another. Once the administrative matters are cleared, the prosecutor and defense lawyer may agree to start a trial at a later time, which often takes place in the afternoon in Union County NC. If time allows, trials are also called during the morning session of criminal court in Monroe NC.
The District Attorney’s Office in Monroe is staffed with experienced, compassionate lawyers. The ADA’s in Union County are prepared, hardworking, and dedicated to their craft. They’re also reasonable in scheduling cases for trial. It’s important to note, the caseload in Union County are relatively heavy. There are days when every seat in the Criminal District Court in Monroe NC is taken and people spill out into the hallway.
Experienced defense attorneys know to tell clients to be to court early in the morning, to listen carefully for your name during the “calendar call” or “docket call” and to provide the defense attorney’s name loudly and clearly.
“There are a lot of criminal charges to clear in criminal court in Monroe NC. It can be a confusing place, especially if you don’t understand the process or how things work. The defense lawyers at Powers Law Firm PA will take the time to explain your criminal charges and what to do when you matter gets called to court.” Bill Powers, Union County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Have questions about your Misdemeanor or Felony Charges in Union County NC? Our law firm and criminal defense lawyers Monroe NC are here to help. That’s why our telephone number is 704-342-4357.
We provide legal representation for criminal charges, DWI charges, and allegations of Domestic Violence, 50B Protective Orders, assault and battery, communicating threats, injury to personal property, and simple assault charges in Monroe NC.
Call now for a FREE CASE EVALUATION.
Helpful Information About Criminal Charges