East Baton Rouge Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in East Baton Rouge Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in East Baton Rouge Parish.
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.
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.
East Baton Rouge Parish Criminal Court
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.
Where can I get help for my East Baton Rouge 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 East Baton Rouge 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.
East Baton Rouge Parish Prosecutor
For criminal cases in East Baton Rouge Parish, the prosecutor will be a representative of East Baton Rouge Parish. The East Baton Rouge 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.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
East Baton Rouge Parish Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In East Baton Rouge Parish this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in East Baton Rouge 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 East Baton Rouge 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.
Where will East Baton Rouge Parish criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of East Baton Rouge Parish. See here for the location of the criminal courts in East Baton Rouge Parish.
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.
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.
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.
Required Court Appearances in East Baton Rouge Parish
Any required court appearances in East Baton Rouge 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.
East Baton Rouge Parish Criminal Court Locations
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East Baton Rouge 19th Judicial District Court – 19th JDC Courthouse
Address: 300 North Blvd, PO Box 1991, Baton Rouge LA 70821
Phone: 225-389-3950 Fax: 225-389-5594 -
East Baton Rouge 19th Judicial District Court – Coursey Boulevard Branch
Address: 10500 Coursey Blvd, Suite 200, PO Box 1991, Baton Rouge LA 70821
Phone: 225-293-2933 Fax: 225-292-4904 -
East Baton Rouge 19th Judicial District Court – Downtown Main Office
Address: 222 St. Louis Street, PO Box 1991, Baton Rouge LA 70821
Phone: 225-389-3950 Fax: 225-389-5594 -
East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court
Address: 8333 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Baton Rouge LA 70807
Phone: 225-354-1250 Fax: 225-357-7876 -
Baker City Court
Address: 1320 Alabama Street, Baker LA 70714
Phone: 225-778-1866 Fax: 225-774-6755 -
Baton Rouge City Court
Address: 233 St. Louis Street, Room 208, PO Box 3438, Baton Rouge LA 70821
Phone: 225-389-5279 Fax: 225-389-7656 -
Zachary City Court
Address: 4510 Main Street, PO Box 310, Zachary LA 70791
Phone: 225-654-0044 Fax: 225-654-1913 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2 District 1
Address: 23845 Reames Road, Zachary LA 70791
Phone: 225-654-2424 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2 District 2
Address: 20529 Machost Road, Zachary LA 70791
Phone: 225-658-9778 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2 District 3
Address: 13470 Clark Drive, Baton Rouge LA 70807
Phone: 225-921-5061 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3 District 1
Address: 18652 Loch Bend Avenue, Greenwell Springs LA 70739
Phone: 225-926-9415 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3 District 2
Address: 12728 Jefferson Hwy, Suite B, Baton Rouge LA 70816
Phone: 225-751-8265 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3 District 3
Address: 1010 Rue Crozat, Baton Rouge LA 70810
Phone: 225-769-2383 -
City of Central Mayor’s Court
Address: 13421 Hooper Road, Suite 9, Central LA 70818
Phone: 225-261-5988 Fax: 225-261-0811