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Each of Vermont's 14 counties has a District Court. These courts are responsible for hearing:
Criminal Cases The government is always represented by a lawyer, the state's attorney, who prosecutes the charge(s) against the defendant. Some defendants hire an attorney to act on their behalf in court while others represent themselves. In Vermont, defendants who are unable to afford an attorney and face severe sentences if convicted may ask the Court to assign a public defender to represent them; if the request is approved, the state will pay some, or all, of the attorney's fees. The Constitution guarantees defendants the right to have a jury determine whether they are guilty. A judge may decide the case if the defendant gives up his/her right to a trial by jury. Regardless of who makes the decision, the state's attorney must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of committing the crime. Once guilt has been established, the judge determines an appropriate punishment. Not all criminal charges result in a trial. The judge may dismiss a charge because there is not enough evidence to justify prosecuting the case. A defendant may plead guilty before a trial occurs. Some charges are dismissed by the state's attorney. Civil Cases Most defendants represent themselves in court proceedings. The state is the plaintiff in civil suspension and fish and wildlife violations; in these cases, the plaintiff is represented by the state's attorney. While litigants have the option of a jury trial, many choose to have their cases decided by a judge. In civil trials, judgment is based on the preponderance of evidence. For example, in a civil suspension case, if the evidence presented by the state to prove that the defendant was intoxicated was more convincing than the evidence given by the defendant that s/he was not drunk then the judge will decide in favor of the state and the defendant will lose her/his license to drive. There are seventeen District Court judges. These judges may hear Superior, District or Family Court cases. Trial Court law clerks perform the legal research necessary to help judges reach well-informed decisions. District Court Managers and their staff are responsible for the daily operations of the Court. |
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| ADDISON DISTRICT COURT 7 Mahady Court · Middlebury, VT 05753 · (802) 388-4237 Honorable Helen Toor, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| BENNINGTON DISTRICT COURT 150 Veterans Memorial Drive · Bennington, VT 05201 · (802) 447-2727 Honorable Kate Hayes, Presiding Judge Please check your hearing notice for hearing location Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| CALEDONIA DISTRICT COURT 1126 Main St · Suite 1 · St. Johnsbury, VT 05819-2694 · (802) 748-6600
Honorable Harold E. Eaton, Jr., Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| CHITTENDEN DISTRICT COURT 32 Cherry Street, Suite 300 · Burlington, VT 05401 · (802) 651-1950
Honorable Geoffrey Crawford, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| ESSEX DISTRICT COURT P.O. Box 75 · Guildhall, VT 05905 · (802) 676-3910 Honorable Thomas Zonay, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| FRANKLIN DISTRICT COURT 36 Lake Street · St. Albans, VT 05478 · (802) 524-7997 Honorable Michael Kupersmith, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| GRAND ISLE DISTRICT COURT P.O. Box 7· North Hero, VT 05474 · (802) 372-8350 Honorable Ben Joseph, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| LAMOILLE DISTRICT COURT P.O. Box 489 · Hyde Park, VT 05655-0489 · (802) 888-3887 Honorable Brian Grearson, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| ORANGE DISTRICT COURT 5 Court St. · Chelsea, VT 05038 · (802) 685-4610 Honorable Theresa DiMauro, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| ORLEANS DISTRICT COURT 217 Main Street · Newport, VT 05855 · (802) 334-3325 Honorable Robert Bent, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| RUTLAND DISTRICT COURT 9 Merchants Row · Rutland, VT 05701-2836 · (802) 786-5880 Honorable
William Cohen, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| WASHINGTON DISTRICT COURT 255 North Main Street · Barre VT 05641 · (802) 479-4252 Honorable
M. Patricia Zimmerman, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| WINDHAM DISTRICT COURT 30 Putney Road, Suite 2· Brattleboro, VT 05301 · (802) 257-2800 Juror Telephone Number - Call After 6 p.m. 802-257-2853
Honorable Karen Carroll, Presiding Judge Vermont Judiciary Surcharge Schedule Return to Information About Vermont District Courts |
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| WINDSOR DISTRICT COURT 82 Railroad Row · White River Junction, VT 05001 · (802) 295-8865
Honorable M. Kathleen Manley, Presiding Judge |
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