Caldwell Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Caldwell Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Caldwell Parish.
Where can I get help for my Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Caldwell Parish?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Caldwell Parish criminal cases will either be a representative of Caldwell Parish or a representative from Louisiana. 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.
Caldwell Parish Criminal Court
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Caldwell Parish, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
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.
Mandatory Appearances in Caldwell Parish Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Caldwell Parish, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Caldwell Parish Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Caldwell Parish this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Caldwell Parish 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 Caldwell Parish 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.
Can I appeal a guilty verdict?
If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.
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.
Caldwell Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Caldwell Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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 Caldwell 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.
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.
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.
Caldwell Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Caldwell 37th Judicial District Court
Address: 201 Main Street, Suite 1, PO Box 1327, Columbia LA 71418
Phone: 318-649-2272 Fax: 318-649-2037 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: 158 Lil Duck Lane, Columbia LA 71418
Phone: 318-649-7622 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Address: PO Box 195, Clarks LA 71415
Phone: 318-649-7974 -
Clarks Mayor’s Court
Address: 1714 Hwy 845, PO Box 360, Clarks LA 71415
Phone: 318-649-7218 Fax: 318-649-7215 -
Columbia Mayor’s Court
Address: 302 Pearl Street, PO Box 10, Columbia LA 71418
Phone: 318-649-6174 Fax: 318-649-0758 -
Grayson Mayor’s Court
Address: 5228 Hwy 126 East, PO Box 8, Grayson LA 71435
Phone: 318-649-7148 Fax: 318-649-9992