Red River Parish Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Red River Parish. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Red River Parish.
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.
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 Red River 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.
Red River Parish Criminal Court
Who is the prosecutor for Red River Parish?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Red River Parish criminal cases will either be a representative of Red River 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.
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 Red River Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Red River Parish Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Red River Parish this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Red River 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 Red River 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.
Red River Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Red River Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Red River Parish Required Court Appearances
In Red River Parish, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Jury Deliberations in Red River Parish
In Red River 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.
I need help for my Red River Parish criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Red River Parish court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Red River Parish will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
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.
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.
Red River Parish Criminal Court Locations
-
Red River 39th Judicial District Court
Address: 615 East Carroll Street, PO Box 485, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-932-6741 Fax: 318-932-3126 -
Justice of the Peace District A
Address: 1910 Jones Street Apt. 27, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-469-5047 -
Justice of the Peace District B
Address: 420 Britnell Road, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-932-4485 -
Justice of the Peace District C
Address: 353 Jordan Ferry Road, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-932-3416 -
Coushatta Mayor’s Court
Address: 1211 East Carroll Street, PO Box 531, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-932-4312 Fax: 318-932-3653 -
Edgefield Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 397, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-932-0430 -
Hall Summit Mayor’s Court
Address: 7100 Carter Avenue, PO Box 98, Hall Summit LA 71034
Phone: 318-932-5355 Fax: 318-932-5357 -
Martin Mayor’s Court
Address: Highway 507, Coushatta LA 71019
Phone: 318-932-5448 or 318-932-4509