Winn Parish Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Winn Parish. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Winn Parish.
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.
Winn Parish Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Winn Parish Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Winn Parish Criminal Court
I need help for my Winn 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 Winn 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 Winn 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.
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.
Sentencing in Winn Parish
In Winn 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 Winn Parish at an arraignment?
In Winn 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.
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 Winn 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.
Jury Deliberations in Winn Parish
In Winn 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.
Prosecutor in Winn Parish
In Winn Parish, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Winn Parish. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Louisiana. For the most part, the prosecutor in Winn Parish has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Required Court Appearances in Winn Parish
Any required court appearances in Winn 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.
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 Winn Parish a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Winn Parish Criminal Court Locations
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Winn 8th Judicial District Court
Address: 119 West Main Street, Room 103, PO Box 137, Winnfield LA 71483
Phone: 318-628-3515 Fax: 318-628-3527 -
Winnfield City Court
Address: 101 West Boundary Avenue, PO Box 1342, Winnfield LA 71483
Phone: 318-628-4844 Fax: 318-628-3872 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 6
Address: 287 Manuel Long Road, Winnfield LA 71483
Phone: 318-648-6970 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 7
Address: 202 East Lafayette Street, Winnfield LA 71483
Phone: 318-628-6921 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 8
Address: 3379 Packton-Alexandria Road, Atlanta LA 71404
Phone: 318-652-2513 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 9
Address: 163 Hilltop Road, Goldonna LA 71031
Phone: 318-727-9279 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 10
Address: 446 Durbin Road, Dodson LA 71422
Phone: 318-628-2224 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 11
Address: 3231 Hwy 34, Dodson LA 71422
Phone: 318-628-7451 -
Justice of the Peace Ward 12
Address: 201 D Prescott Road, Winnfield LA 71483
Phone: 318-628-6555 -
Atlanta Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 268, Atlanta LA 71404
Phone: 318-628-3035 -
Calvin Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 180, Calvin LA 71410
Phone: 318-727-9276 Fax: 318-727-9277 -
Dodson Mayor’s Court
Address: 205 Gresham Street, PO Box 86, Dodson LA 71422
Phone: 318-628-3775 -
Sikes Mayor’s Court
Address: PO Box 116, Sikes LA 71473
Phone: 318-628-2634