Chickasaw County Criminal Court

Chickasaw County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Chickasaw County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Chickasaw County.

Chickasaw County Criminal Court hearings

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

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 Chickasaw County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Chickasaw County Criminal Court

Chickasaw County Criminal Court

I need help for my Chickasaw County 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 Chickasaw County 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 Chickasaw County 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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Chickasaw 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.

Chickasaw County Required Court Appearances

In Chickasaw 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.

What happens in Chickasaw County at an arraignment?

In Chickasaw County 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.

Sentencing in Chickasaw County

In Chickasaw 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.

What is the Burden of Proof?

The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.

Prosecutor in Chickasaw County

In Chickasaw County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Chickasaw County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Mississippi. For the most part, the prosecutor in Chickasaw County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

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.

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 Chickasaw County

In Chickasaw 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.

Chickasaw County Criminal Court Locations

  • Chickasaw County Circuit Court – 1st District

    Address: 1 Pinson Square, Rm 2, Houston MS 38851
    Phone: 662-456-2331 Fax: 662-456-4831

  • Chickasaw County Circuit Court – 2nd District

    Address: 234 W Main St, Rm 203, Okolona MS 38860
    Phone: 662-447-2838 Fax: 662-447-5024

  • Chickasaw County Chancery Court – 1st District

    Address: 1 Pinson Square, Rm 2, Houston MS 38851
    Phone: 662-456-2513 Fax: 662-456-5295

  • Chickasaw County Chancery Court – 2nd Distict

    Address: 234 W Main St, Rm 201, Okolona MS 38860
    Phone: 662-447-2092 Fax: 662-447-5024

  • Chickasaw County Youth Court

    Address: 1 Pinson Square, Houston MS 38851
    Phone: 662-456-2513 Fax: 662-456-5295

  • Chickasaw County Justice Court – 1st District

    Address: 1 Pinson Square, Houston MS 38851
    Phone: 662-456-2878 Fax: 662-448-8122

  • Chickasaw County Justice Court – 2nd District

    Address: 234 W Main St, Rm 207, Okolona MS 38860
    Phone: 662-447-3402 Fax: 662-447-5020

  • Houston Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 548, Houston MS 38851
    Phone: 662-456-2328

  • New Houlka Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 416, New Houlka MS 38850
    Phone: 662-568-2745

  • Okolona Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 111, Okolona MS 38860
    Phone: 662-447-5461

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