Vermilion Parish Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Vermilion Parish. See below for more information about criminal cases in Vermilion Parish.
Vermilion Parish Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Vermilion Parish will take place at the Vermilion Parish Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Vermilion Parish Criminal Court Locations.
Vermilion Parish Required Court Appearances
In Vermilion 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.
Vermilion Parish Criminal Court
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.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Jury Deliberations in Vermilion Parish
In Vermilion 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 Vermilion 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 Vermilion 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 Vermilion 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.
Sentencing in Vermilion Parish
In Vermilion 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.
What happens in Vermilion Parish at an arraignment?
In Vermilion 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.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Vermilion 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 if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
Who is the prosecutor for Vermilion Parish?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Vermilion Parish criminal cases will either be a representative of Vermilion 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 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.
Vermilion Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Vermilion 15th Judicial District Court
Address: 100 North State Street, Suite 101, Abbeville LA 70510
Phone: 337-898-1992 Fax: 337-898-9803 -
Abbeville City Court
Address: 208 South State Street, PO Box 251, Abbeville LA 70511
Phone: 337-893-1513 Fax: 337-893-4731 -
Kaplan City Court
Address: 511 North Cushing Avenue, PO Box 121, Kaplan LA 70548
Phone: 337-643-6611 Fax: 337-643-8116 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: PO Box 362, Erath LA 70533
Phone: 337-523-9737 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 1
Address: 213 North Gin Street, Erath LA 70533
Phone: 337-937-9473 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 2
Address: 16008 LA Hwy 685, Erath LA 70533
Phone: 337-937-6767 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 4
Address: 311 Village Park Drive, Maurice LA 70555
Phone: 337-852-8800 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 5
Address: 4850 Leroy Road, Maurice LA 70555
Phone: 337-893-6370 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 6
Address: 16505 Lionel Road, Abbeville LA 70510
Phone: 337-643-6090 Fax: 337-643-6090 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 7
Address: 18626 Theall Road, Abbeville LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4571 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 8
Address: 317 McMurtry Street, Gueydan LA 70542
Phone: 337-536-9853 Fax: 337-536-7000 -
Delcambre Mayor’s Court
Address: 107 North Railroad Street, Delcambre LA 70528
Phone: 337-685-4462 Fax: 337-685-4466 -
Erath Mayor’s Court
Address: 207 South Kibbe Street, Erath LA 70533
Phone: 337-937-4433 Fax: 337-937-9100 -
Gueydan Mayor’s Court
Address: 600 Main Street, Gueydan LA 70542
Phone: 337-536-9415 Fax: 337-536-9498 -
Maurice Mayor’s Court
Address: West Corrine Street and Lastie Avenue, PO Box 128, Maurice LA 70555
Phone: 337-893-6406 Fax: 337-893-3461