Amite County Criminal Court

Amite County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Amite County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Amite County.

Who can help me in Amite County?

For general information about your case the Amite County 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.

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.

Amite County Criminal Court

Amite County Criminal Court

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.

Required Court Appearances in Amite County

Any required court appearances in Amite County 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.

Jury Deliberations in Amite County

In Amite County, 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 Counsel

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.

Who is the prosecutor for Amite County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Amite County criminal cases will either be a representative of Amite County or a representative from Mississippi. 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 request a Plea Agreement?

In Amite County 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.

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.

Amite County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Amite County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Amite County 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 Amite County 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.

Amite County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Amite County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

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.

Amite County Criminal Court Locations

  • Amite County Circuit Court

    Address: 243 W Main St, PO Box 312, Liberty MS 39645
    Phone: 601-657-8932 Fax: 601-657-1082

  • Amite County Chancery Court

    Address: 243 W Main St, PO Box 680, Liberty MS 39645
    Phone: 601-657-8022 Fax: 601-657-8288

  • Amite County Youth Court

    Address: 243 W Main St, PO Box 680, Liberty MS 39645
    Phone: 601-657-8022 Fax: 601-657-8288

  • Amite County Justice Court

    Address: 243 S Broad St, PO Box 362, Liberty MS 39645
    Phone: 601-657-4527 Fax: 601-657-8604

  • Centreville Municipal Court

    Address: 1 Municipal Dr, PO Box 578, Centreville MS 39631
    Phone: 601-645-5917

  • Crosby Municipal Court

    Address: 326 N Highway 33, PO Box 338, Crosby MS 39633
    Phone: 601-639-4516 Fax: 601-639-4517

  • Gloster Municipal Court

    Address: 251 S First St, PO Box 387, Gloster MS 39638
    Phone: 601-225-4216 Fax: 601-225-4772

  • Liberty Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 301, Liberty MS 39645
    Phone: 601-657-8071 Fax: 601-657-8078

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.