Coahoma County Criminal Court

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

What is a Plea Agreement?

A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.

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.

Coahoma County Criminal Court

Coahoma County Criminal Court

Coahoma County Required Court Appearances

In Coahoma 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Coahoma County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.

Prosecutor in Coahoma County

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

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.

Coahoma County Criminal Court locations

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

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.

Sentencing in Coahoma County

In Coahoma 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.

Who can help me in Coahoma County?

For general information about your case the Coahoma 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.

Coahoma County Arraignments

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

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.

Coahoma County Criminal Court Locations

  • Coahoma County Circuit Court

    Address: 115 1st St, PO Box 849, Clarksdale MS 38614
    Phone: 662-624-3014 Fax: 662-624-3075

  • Coahoma County Chancery Court

    Address: 115 1st St, PO Box 98, Clarksdale MS 38614
    Phone: 662-624-3000 Fax: 662-624-3040

  • County Court of Coahoma County

    Address: 115 1st St, PO Box 849, Clarksdale MS 38614
    Phone: 662-624-3014 Fax: 662-624-3075

  • Coahoma County Youth Court

    Address: 115 1st St, PO Box 849, Clarksdale MS 38614
    Phone: 662-624-3014 Fax: 662-624-3075

  • Coahoma County Justice Court

    Address: 144 Ritch St, Clarksdale MS 38614
    Phone: 662-624-3060 Fax: 662-624-5528

  • Clarksdale Municipal Court

    Address: 121 Sunflower Ave, PO Box 940, Clarksdale MS 38614
    Phone: 662-621-8136 Fax: 662-621-8130

  • Friars Point Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 185, Friars Point MS 38631
    Phone: 662-383-2233 Fax: 662-383-2403

  • Jonestown Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 110, Jonestown MS 38639
    Phone: 662-358-4328 Fax: 662-358-4337

  • Lula Municipal Court

    Address: 118 2nd St, PO Box 326, Lula MS 38644
    Phone: 662-337-4579 Fax: 662-337-4577

  • Lyon Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 511, Lyon MS 38645
    Phone: 662-627-1600 Fax: 662-627-1600

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