Caddo Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Caddo Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Caddo Parish.
Burden of Proof Requirement
In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Required Court Appearances in Caddo Parish
Any required court appearances in Caddo 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.
Caddo Parish Criminal Court
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.
Where will Caddo Parish criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Caddo Parish. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Caddo Parish.
Where can I get help for my Caddo Parish criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Caddo Parish will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
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.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Caddo Parish you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
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.
Prosecutor in Caddo Parish
In Caddo Parish, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Caddo Parish. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Louisiana. For the most part, the prosecutor in Caddo Parish has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
What is Jury Deliberation?
After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.
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.
What happens in Caddo Parish at an arraignment?
In Caddo Parish the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Caddo Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Caddo 1st Judicial District Court
Address: 501 Texas Street, Room 103, Shreveport LA 71101
Phone: 318-226-6780 -
Caddo Parish Juvenile Court
Address: 1835 Spring Street, Shreveport LA 71101
Phone: 318-226-6751 Fax: 318-841-4371 -
Shreveport City Court
Address: 1244 Texas Avenue, Shreveport LA 71101
Phone: 318-673-5800 Fax: 318-673-5813 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: 146 Church Street, Belcher LA 71004
Phone: 318-455-2220 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2 – Oil City District
Address: 9369 Gay Lane, Oil City LA 71061
Phone: 318-995-0403 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2 – Vivian District
Address: 14626 Old Atlanta Road, Vivian LA 71082
Phone: 318-375-3158 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3 – Blanchard District
Address: 7344 South Noel Drive, Shreveport LA 71107
Phone: 318-564-3860 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3 – Mooringsport District
Address: 6736 Bolinger Drive, Shreveport LA 71107
Phone: 318-464-2053 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 5
Address: 7594 Beebe Dr, Greenwood LA 71033
Phone: 318-507-9200 Fax: 318-938-1972 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 6
Address: 3811 Christy Drive, Shreveport LA 71129
Phone: 318-925-2286 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 7
Address: 3221 Green Terrace Road, Shreveport LA 71118
Phone: 318-458-4834 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 8
Address: Physical: 106 East Kings Highway, Suite 213-C, Shreveport LA 71104
Phone: 318-564-1917 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 9
Address: PO Box 154, Ida LA 71044
Phone: 318-284-3558 -
Blanchard Mayor’s Court
Address: 110 Main Street, PO Box 428, Blanchard LA 71009
Phone: 318-929-7593 Fax: 318-929-2447 -
Gilliam Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 129, Gilliam LA 71029
Phone: 318-296-4393 -
Greenwood Mayor’s Court
Address: 9381 Greenwood Road, PO Box 195, Greenwood LA 71033
Phone: 318-938-7261 -
Hosston Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 206, Hosston LA 71043
Phone: 318-287-3225 -
Ida Mayor’s Court
Address: 7016 East Magnolia, PO Box 299, Ida LA 71044
Phone: 318-284-3231 -
Mooringsport Mayor’s Court
Address: 122 Croom Street, PO Box 9, Mooringsport LA 71060
Phone: 318-996-7661 Fax: 318-996-7667 -
Oil City Mayor’s Court
Address: 202 Allen Street, PO Box 520, Oil City LA 71061
Phone: 318-995-6681 Fax: 318-995-6633 -
Rodessa Mayor’s Court
Address: 10093 Main Street, PO Box 336, Rodessa LA 71069
Phone: 318-223-4211 -
Vivian Mayor’s Court
Address: 112 West Alabama Avenue, PO Box 832, Vivian LA 71082
Phone: 318-375-3856