Tangipahoa Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Tangipahoa Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Tangipahoa Parish.
What happens in Tangipahoa Parish at an arraignment?
In Tangipahoa Parish the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Where will Tangipahoa Parish criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Tangipahoa Parish. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Tangipahoa Parish.
Tangipahoa Parish Criminal Court
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.
Sentencing in Tangipahoa Parish
In Tangipahoa 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Tangipahoa 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.
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.
Who can help me in Tangipahoa Parish?
For general information about your case the Tangipahoa 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 Tangipahoa Parish
Any required court appearances in Tangipahoa 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.
Who is the prosecutor for Tangipahoa Parish?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Tangipahoa Parish criminal cases will either be a representative of Tangipahoa 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 Tangipahoa Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Jury Deliberations in Tangipahoa Parish
In Tangipahoa 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.
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.
Tangipahoa Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Tangipahoa 21st Judicial District Court – Amite
Address: 110 North Bay Street, PO Box 667, Amite LA 70422
Phone: 985-748-4146 Fax: 985-748-6503 -
Tangipahoa 21st Judicial District Court – Hammond Branch
Address: Physical: 318-A Northwest Railroad Avenue, Hammond LA 70401
Phone: 985-549-1638 Fax: 985-549-1639 -
City Court of Hammond
Address: 303 East Thomas Street, Hammond LA 70401
Phone: 985-542-3455 Fax: 985-542-3453 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: 12142 Jr. Feets Lane, Kentwood LA 70444
Phone: 985-215-2376 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Address: 19413 Hwy 38, Kentwood LA 70444
Phone: 985-229-2514 or 985-514-0360 Fax: 985-229-3325 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 3
Address: 111 North Bay Street, Suite 3, PO Box 744, Amite LA 70422
Phone: 985-747-0407 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 4
Address: 17424 Hwy 10, Kentwood LA 70444
Phone: 985-517-7581 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 5
Address: 56044 North Cooper Road, Loranger LA 70446
Phone: 985-878-6166 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 6
Address: PO Box 1004, Natalbany LA 70451
Phone: 985-419-0032 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 8
Address: 28238 Hwy 22, Ponchatoula LA 70454
Phone: 985-845-8747 or 985-966-1331 -
Amite City Mayor’s Court
Address: 212 East Oak Street, Amite LA 70422
Phone: 985-748-8761 Fax: 985-748-3729 -
Independence Mayor’s Court
Address: 473 West Railroad Avenue, PO Box 35, Independence LA 70443
Phone: 985-878-4145 Fax: 985-878-4568 -
Kentwood Mayor’s Court
Address: 308 Avenue G, Kentwood LA 70444
Phone: 985-229-3451 Fax: 985-229-3438 -
Ponchatoula Mayor’s Court
Address: 125 West Hickory Street, Ponchatoula LA 70454
Phone: 985-370-7500 Fax: 985-386-5533 -
Roseland Mayor’s Court
Address: 62438 Commercial Street, PO Box 302, Roseland LA 70456
Phone: 985-748-9063 Fax: 985-748-7131 -
Tangipahoa Mayor’s Court
Address: 12616 Jackson Street, PO Box 156, Tangipahoa LA 70465
Phone: 985-229-8300 Fax: 985-229-4423 -
Tickfaw Mayor’s Court
Address: 50081 Highway 51, PO Box 249, Tickfaw LA 70466
Phone: 985-542-9249 Fax: 985-542-5239