Allen Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Allen Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Allen Parish.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Allen Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Jury Deliberations in Allen Parish
In Allen Parish, 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.
Allen Parish Criminal Court
Allen Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Allen Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Arraignments in Allen Parish
During an arraignment in Allen Parish, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Allen Parish, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Allen Parish the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Allen Parish you may be able to enter into a plea agreement depending upon the severity of the charges. It is also dependant upon the prosecution willing to accept a plea agreement. You can ask your attorney to attempt to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution to avoid having a jury trial along with the potential for a more serious sentence. Approximately 9 out of 10 criminal cases usually end in a plea agreement.
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
I need help for my Allen Parish criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Allen Parish court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Allen Parish will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Allen Parish Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Allen Parish, the prosecutor will be a representative of Allen Parish. The Allen Parish prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Required Court Appearances in Allen Parish
Any required court appearances in Allen Parish Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Allen Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Allen 33rd Judicial District Court
Address: 400 West 6th Avenue, PO Box 248, Oberlin LA 70655
Phone: 337-639-4351 Fax: 337-639-2030 -
Oakdale City Court
Address: 333 East 6th Avenue, PO Box 565, Oakdale LA 71463
Phone: 318-335-1121 Fax: 318-335-4049 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: PO Box 304, Oberlin LA 70655
Phone: 337-639-4929 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Address: 122 Mayo Ortega Road, Kinder LA 70648
Phone: 337-738-6559 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3
Address: PO Box 41, Reeves LA 70658
Phone: 337-666-2427 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 4
Address: 1299 Palestine Road, Mittie LA 70654
Phone: 337-634-5317 -
Kinder Mayor’s Court
Address: 333 North 8th Street, PO Box 947, Kinder LA 70648
Phone: 337-738-2620 -
Oberlin Mayor’s Court
Address: 103 East 6th Avenue, PO Box 370, Oberlin LA 70655
Phone: 337-639-4333 -
Reeves Mayor’s Court
Address: 18370 Hwy 190, PO Box 119, Reeves LA 70658
Phone: 337-666-2613