Attala County Criminal Court

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

Attala County Criminal Court hearings

Criminal hearings in Attala County will take place at the Attala County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Attala County Criminal Court Locations.

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 Attala County 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.

Attala County Criminal Court

Attala County Criminal Court

Where can I get help for my Attala County criminal case?

The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Attala County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.

Jury Deliberations in Attala County

In Attala 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.

Who is the prosecutor for Attala County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Attala County criminal cases will either be a representative of Attala 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.

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.

Sentencing in Attala County

In Attala County 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.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Attala County Required Court Appearances

In Attala County, 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.

Attala County Arraignments

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

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.

Attala County Criminal Court Locations

  • Attala County Circuit Court

    Address: 100 Courthouse, Ste 1, Kosciusko MS 39090
    Phone: 662-289-1471 Fax: 662-289-7666

  • Attala County Chancery Court

    Address: 230 W Washington St, Kosciusko MS 39090
    Phone: 662-289-2921 Fax: 662-289-7662

  • Attala County Youth Court

    Address: 230 W Washington St, Kosciusko MS 39090
    Phone: 662-289-2921 Fax: 662-289-7662

  • Attala County Justice Court

    Address: 100 Courthouse, Ste 4, Kosciusko MS 39090
    Phone: 662-289-7272 Fax: 662-289-0105

  • Ethel Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 58, Ethel MS 39067
    Phone: 662-674-5222 Fax: 662-674-5057

  • Kosciusko Municipal Court

    Address: 220 W Washington St, Kosciusko MS 39090
    Phone: 662-289-7935 Fax: 662-289-7778

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