Richland Parish Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Richland Parish. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Richland Parish.
Where can I get help for my Richland 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 Richland 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 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.
Richland Parish Criminal Court
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 Richland Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Richland 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.
Richland Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Richland Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Required Court Appearances in Richland Parish
Any required court appearances in Richland 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.
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.
Sentencing in Richland Parish
In Richland 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.
Richland Parish Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Richland Parish this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Richland 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 Richland 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.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Prosecutor in Richland Parish
In Richland Parish, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Richland Parish. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Louisiana. For the most part, the prosecutor in Richland Parish has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
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.
Richland Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Richland 5th Judicial District Court
Address: 708 Julia Street, Suite 103, PO Box 119, Rayville, LA 71269
Phone: 318-728-4171 Fax: 318-728-7020 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: 811 Main Street, Delhi LA 71232
Phone: 318-878-8217 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Address: 3556 Hwy 80 East, Rayville LA 71269
Phone: 318-728-4535 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3
Address: 853 Charleston Drive, Rayville LA 71269
Phone: 318-376-0318 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 4
Address: PO Box 122, Archibald LA 71218
Phone: 318-237-0057 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 5
Address: PO Box 344, Mangham LA 71259
Phone: 318-732-7676 -
Justice of the Peace Wards 6 & 7
Address: 5591 Hwy 133, Rayville LA 71269
Phone: 318-840-3289 -
Delhi Mayor’s Court
Address: 209 Broadway Street, PO Box 277, Delhi LA 71232
Phone: 318-878-3792 Fax: 318-878-3362 -
Mangham Mayor’s Court
Address: 306 Main Street, PO Box 94, Mangham LA 71259
Phone: 318-248-2170 Fax: 318-248-2170 -
Rayville Mayor’s Court
Address: 109 Benedette Street, PO Box 878, Rayville LA 71269
Phone: 318-728-2011 Fax: 318-728-7503