West Carroll Parish Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in West Carroll Parish. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in West Carroll Parish.
West Carroll Parish Required Court Appearances
In West Carroll 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.
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.
West Carroll Parish Criminal Court
Who can help me in West Carroll Parish?
For general information about your case the West Carroll 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.
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 West Carroll Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
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.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
West Carroll Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the West Carroll Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
West Carroll Parish Prosecutor
For criminal cases in West Carroll Parish, the prosecutor will be a representative of West Carroll Parish. The West Carroll 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.
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.
Jury Deliberations in West Carroll Parish
In West Carroll 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.
What happens in West Carroll Parish at an arraignment?
In West Carroll 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 West Carroll 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.
West Carroll Parish Criminal Court Locations
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West Carroll 5th Judicial District Court
Address: 305 East Main Street, PO Box 1078, Oak Grove, LA 71263
Phone: 318-428-3281 Fax: 318-428-9896 -
Justice of the Peace District 1
Address: 157 Jones Street, PO Box 117, Epps LA 71237
Phone: 318-926-5656 -
Justice of the Peace District 2
Address: 154 Robinson Road, Oak Grove LA 71263
Phone: 318-428-8347 -
Justice of the Peace District 3
Address: PO Box 272, Forest LA 71242
Phone: 318-428-8143 -
Justice of the Peace District 4
Address: 907 East Main Street, Oak Grove LA 71263
Phone: 318-428-4701 -
Justice of the Peace District 5
Address: PO Box 205, Kilbourne LA 71253
Phone: 318-428-4913 -
Epps Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 253, Epps LA 71237
Phone: 318-926-5224 -
Forest Mayor’s Court
Address: 137 Walnut Street, PO Box 338, Forest LA 71242
Phone: 318-428-9058 Fax: 318-428-9058 -
Kilbourne Mayor’s Court
Address: 125 Carnell Street, PO Box 395, Kilbourne LA 71253
Phone: 318-428-2774 -
Oak Grove Mayor’s Court
Address: 407 East Main Street, PO Box 1014, Oak Grove LA 71263
Phone: 318-428-3276 Fax: 318-428-4556 -
Pioneer Mayor’s Court
Address: 318 Cherry Street, PO Box 153, Pioneer LA 71266
Phone: 318-428-8581 Fax: 318-428-2719