Criminal Cases

Crimes & Contempt

If you have been cited to appear or given a conditional release to appear on a criminal charge, you must appear before the court. If you fail to appear at the date and time specified on the summons, you will be charged with the crime of Failure to Appear on a Citation or Failure to Appear in the Second Degree.

Maximum Penalties

Class A Misdemeanor is punishable by one year jail and/or a fine of up to $6,250.
Class B Misdemeanor is punishable by six months jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
Class C Misdemeanor is punishable by 30 days jail and/or a fine of up to $1,250.
Contempt of Court is punishable by six months jail and/or a fine of up to $500.

• You have the right to remain silent about the facts and circumstances of your case. Anything you say can be used against you.
• You have the right to the assistance of an attorney at all stages of the proceedings including deciding how to plead to the charge(s).
• You have the right to a court-appointed attorney if you are indigent and cannot afford to hire an attorney without substantial hardship to you or your family.
• You have the right to a speedy and public trial by a jury of six citizens from the community who would decide whether or not you are guilty. (There is no jury for probation and contempt proceedings.)
• You have the right to confront and to question under oath (cross-examine) each and every witness called against you.
• You have the right to compel witnesses to come to court by subpoenas issued by the court clerk or by your attorney.
• You have the right to review and to obtain copies of the records written in your case.
• You have the right to appeal if you are found guilty and to have a new trial in the Linn County Circuit Court.
• You are cautioned that if you are not a citizen, a conviction of a crime may result in deportation or exclusion from admission to the United States or denial of naturalization.