Grenada County Criminal Court

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

Grenada County Arraignments

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

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.

Grenada County Criminal Court

Grenada County Criminal Court

Who can help me in Grenada County?

For general information about your case the Grenada 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.

Grenada County Criminal Court hearings

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

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.

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.

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.

Required Court Appearances in Grenada County

Any required court appearances in Grenada 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.

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.

Grenada County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Grenada County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Grenada County. The Grenada County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.

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.

What is Jury Deliberation?

After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.

Grenada County Criminal Court Locations

  • Grenada County Circuit Court

    Address: 59 Green St, PO Box 1517, Grenada MS 38902
    Phone: 662-226-1941 Fax: 662-227-2865

  • Grenada County Chancery Court

    Address: 59 Greene St, PO Box 1208, Grenada MS 38902
    Phone: 662-226-1821 Fax: 662-227-2860

  • Grenada County Youth Court

    Address: 59 Greene St, PO Box 1208, Grenada MS 38902
    Phone: 662-226-1821 Fax: 662-227-2860

  • Grenada County Justice Court

    Address: 16 1st St, Grenada MS 38901
    Phone: 662-226-3331 Fax: 662-227-5513

  • Grenada Municipal Court

    Address: 26 N Green St, Grenada MS 38901
    Phone: 662-226-3430 Fax: 662-227-3401

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