Jefferson Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Jefferson Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Jefferson Parish.
Jefferson Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Jefferson Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Jefferson Parish Criminal Court
Where can I get help for my Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.
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.
Who is the prosecutor for Jefferson Parish?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Jefferson Parish criminal cases will either be a representative of Jefferson 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Jefferson 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.
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.
Arraignments in Jefferson Parish
During an arraignment in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson Parish the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.
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 Jefferson Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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 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.
Required Court Appearances in Jefferson Parish
Any required court appearances in Jefferson 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.
Jefferson Parish Criminal Court Locations
-
Jefferson 24th Judicial District Court
Address: 200 Derbigny Street, PO Box 10, Gretna LA 70054
Phone: 504-364-2900 Fax: 504-362-6355 -
Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court
Address: 1546 Gretna Blvd, PO Box 1900, Harvey LA 70059
Phone: 504-367-3500 Fax: 540-361-8033 -
1st Parish Court of Jefferson
Address: 924 David Drive, Metairie LA 70003
Phone: 504-736-8910 (Criminal/Traffic) -
2nd Parish Court of Jefferson
Address: 100 Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna LA 70053
Phone: 504-364-2929 (Criminal/Traffic) Fax: 504-364-3431 -
1st Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 200 Derbigny Street, Gretna LA 70056
Phone: 504-364-2760 -
2nd Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 1887 Ames Blvd, Marrero LA 70072
Phone: 504-349-5407 -
3rd Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 2654 Jean Lafitte Blvd, Lafitte LA 70067
Phone: 504-689-2208 -
4th Justice of the Peace Court
Address: PO Box 121, Grand Isle LA 70308
Phone: 985-278-1973 or 985-787-4767 -
5th Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd, Suite 602, Harahan LA 70123
Phone: 504-736-8714 Fax: 504-736-8719 -
6th Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 1803 Williams Blvd, Kenner LA 70065
Phone: 504-466-7984 -
7th Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 4008 US Hwy 90, Westwego LA 70094
Phone: 504-349-5416 -
8th Justice of the Peace Court
Address: 1903 Short Street, Kenner LA 70065
Phone: 504-461-0130 -
Grand Isle Mayor’s Court
Address: 170 Ludwig Lane, PO Box 200, Grand Isle LA 70358
Phone: 985-787-3196 Fax: 985-787-3859 -
Gretna Mayor’s Court
Address: 327 Huey P. Long Avenue, Gretna LA 70053
Phone: 504-227-7325 -
Harahan Mayor’s Court
Address: 6437 Jefferson Hwy, Suite A, Harahan LA 70123
Phone: 504-737-5361 Fax: 504-305-0806 -
Jean Lafitte Mayor’s Court
Address: 2654 Jean Lafitte Blvd, Lafitte LA 70067
Phone: 504-689-2208 Fax: 504-689-7801 -
Kenner Mayor’s Court
Address: 1801 Williams Blvd, Building A, Kenner LA 70062
Phone: 504-468-7277 -
Westwego Mayor’s Court
Address: 410 4th Street, Westwego LA 70094
Phone: 504-340-3968