Mississippi County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Mississippi County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Mississippi County.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Mississippi County Required Court Appearances
In Mississippi County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Mississippi County Criminal Court
Jury Deliberations in Mississippi County
In Mississippi County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
The Right to Trial by Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Who is the prosecutor for Mississippi County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Mississippi County criminal cases will either be a representative of Mississippi County or a representative from Arkansas. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
Mississippi County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Mississippi County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Mississippi County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Mississippi County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Mississippi County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Mississippi County will take place at the Mississippi County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Mississippi County Criminal Court Locations.
Who can help me in Mississippi County?
For general information about your case the Mississippi County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
Mississippi County Criminal Court Locations
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Mississippi County Circuit Court
Address: 200 W Walnut St, #204, Blytheville AR 72315
Phone: 870-762-2332 Fax: 870-762-8148 -
Mississippi County Circuit Court
Address: 200 W Hale Ave, Osceola AR 72370
Phone: 870-563-6471 Fax: 870-563-5063 -
Mississippi County District Court – Blytheville
Address: 121 N 2nd St, #104, Blytheville AR 72315
Phone: 870-763-7513 Fax: 870-762-0433 -
Mississippi County District Court – Dell
Address: PO Box 206, Dell AR 72426
Phone: 870-564-2659 Fax: 870-564-2811 -
Mississippi County District Court – Gosnell
Address: 201 S Airbase Hwy, Gosnell AR 72315
Phone: 870-532-8544 Fax: 870-532-5958 -
Mississippi County District Court – Leachville
Address: PO Box 67, Leachville AR 72438
Phone: 870-539-6713 Fax: 870-539-2490 -
Mississippi County District Court – Manila
Address: PO Box 895, Manila AR 72442
Phone: 870-561-4437 Fax: 870-561-4438 -
Mississippi County District Court – Osceola
Address: 401 W Keiser Ave, Osceola AR 72370
Phone: 870-563-1303 Fax: 870-563-2543