Lincoln Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Lincoln Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Lincoln Parish.
Sentencing in Lincoln Parish
In Lincoln 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.
Lincoln Parish Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Lincoln Parish, the prosecutor will be a representative of Lincoln Parish. The Lincoln 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.
Lincoln Parish Criminal Court
Lincoln Parish Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Lincoln Parish this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.
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.
Who can help me in Lincoln Parish?
For general information about your case the Lincoln 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Required Court Appearances in Lincoln Parish
Any required court appearances in Lincoln 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.
Lincoln Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Lincoln Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Lincoln Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Lincoln 3rd Judicial District Court
Address: 100 West Texas Avenue, PO Box 924, Ruston LA 71273
Phone: 318-251-5130 Fax: 318-255-6004 -
Ruston City Court
Address: 401 North Trenton Street, PO Box 1821, Ruston LA 71273
Phone: 318-251-8614 Fax: 318-251-8619 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Address: 1237 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Grambling LA 71245
Phone: 318-255-5034 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3
Address: PO Box 697, Ruston LA 71275
Phone: 318-255-8250 or 318-255-2631 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 4
Address: 441 Hwy 545, Dubach LA 71235
Phone: 318-777-8314 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 5
Address: PO Box 29, Choudrant LA 71227
Phone: 318-768-2692 -
Dubach Mayor’s Court
Address: 7833 Annie Lee Street, PO Box 252, Dubach LA 71235
Phone: 318-777-3321 Fax: 318-777-8112 -
Grambling Mayor’s Court
Address: 127 King Street, PO Box 108, Grambling LA 71245
Phone: 318-247-6120 Fax: 318-247-0940 -
Simsboro Mayor’s Court
Address: 2742 Martha Street, PO Box 40, Simsboro LA 71275
Phone: 318-247-6248 Fax: 318-247-5298 -
Vienna Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 980, Ruston LA 71273
Phone: 318-251-2913