Grant Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Grant Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Grant Parish.
Grant Parish Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Grant Parish this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Grant 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 Grant 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.
Grant Parish Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Grant Parish, the prosecutor will be a representative of Grant Parish. The Grant 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.
Grant Parish Criminal Court
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.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Grant Parish
In Grant 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.
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.
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 Grant Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Sentencing in Grant Parish
In Grant Parish if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Who can help me in Grant Parish?
For general information about your case the Grant Parish 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.
Required Court Appearances in Grant Parish
Any required court appearances in Grant 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.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
Where will Grant Parish criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Grant Parish. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Grant Parish.
Grant Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Grant 35th Judicial District Court
Address: 200 Main Street, PO Box 263, Colfax LA 71417
Phone: 318-627-3246 Phone: 318-627-3201 -
Justice of the Peace District A
Address: PO Box 287, Montgomery LA 71454
Phone: 318-646-9226 -
Justice of the Peace District B
Address: PO Box 406, Colfax LA 71417
Phone: 318-627-9978 -
Justice of the Peace District C
Address: 21493 Hwy 167, Dry Prong LA 71423
Phone: 318-640-7898 -
Justice of the Peace District D
Address: PO Box 106, Pollock LA 71467
Phone: 318-310-2014 -
Justice of the Peace District E
Address: 1289 Landfill Road, Dry Prong LA 71423
Phone: 318-899-5458 -
Colfax Mayor’s Court
Address: 1208 Main Street, PO Box 310, Colfax LA 71417
Phone: 318-627-3711 Fax: 318-627-3821 -
Creola Mayor’s Court
Address: 241 Grays Creek Road, Dry Prong LA 71423
Phone: 318-641-0430 -
Dry Prong Mayor’s Court
Address: 607 Russell Hataway Drive, PO Box 268, Dry Prong LA 71423
Phone: 318-899-5341 Fax: 318-899-1018 -
Georgetown Mayor’s Court
Address: 4418 Hwy 500, PO Box 220, Georgetown LA 71432
Phone: 318-827-5527 Fax: 318-827-9446 -
Montgomery Mayor’s Court
Address: 625 Woodland Street, PO Box 99, Montgomery LA 71454
Phone: 318-646-3110 Fax: 318-646-9696 -
Pollock Mayor’s Court
Address: 3813 Patterson Street, PO Box 189, Pollock LA 71467
Phone: 318-765-3796 Fax: 318-765-3683