Issaquena County Criminal Court

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

Defendant Sentencing

At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.

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.

Issaquena County Criminal Court

Issaquena County Criminal Court

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.

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

Where will Issaquena County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Issaquena County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Issaquena County.

Mandatory Appearances in Issaquena County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Issaquena County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.

Who can help me in Issaquena County?

For general information about your case the Issaquena 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.

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.

Arraignments in Issaquena County

During an arraignment in Issaquena County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Issaquena County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Issaquena County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

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 Issaquena 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.

Issaquena County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Issaquena County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Issaquena County. The Issaquena 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.

Issaquena County Criminal Court Locations

  • Issaquena County Circuit Court

    Address: 129 Court St, PO Box 27, Mayersville MS 39113
    Phone: 662-873-2761 Fax: 662-873-2061

  • Issaquena County Chancery Court

    Address: 129 Court St, PO Box 27, Mayersville MS 39113
    Phone: 662-873-2761 Fax: 662-873-2061

  • Issaquena County Youth Court

    Address: 129 Court St, PO Box 27, Mayersville MS 39113
    Phone: 662-873-2761 Fax: 662-873-2061

  • Issaquena County Justice Court

    Address: 129 Court St, PO Box 58, Mayersville MS 39113
    Phone: 662-873-6287 Fax: 662-873-2094

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