Itawamba County Criminal Court

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

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 Itawamba 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.

Prosecutor in Itawamba County

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

Itawamba County Criminal Court

Itawamba 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.

Required Court Appearances in Itawamba County

Any required court appearances in Itawamba 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.

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.

Sentencing in Itawamba County

In Itawamba 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 Itawamba County?

For general information about your case the Itawamba 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.

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.

What happens in Itawamba County at an arraignment?

In Itawamba 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.

Itawamba County Criminal Court locations

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

Can I appeal a guilty verdict?

If found guilty, a defendant may decide to appeal his case to an appelate court. The appellate court will not retry the case, they will examine the proceedings in the lower court to make sure they were done in a legal manner. The appellate court can either uphold the original conviction, or determine that due to errors made in the original trial, that there must be a retrial, resentencing or a complete dismissal of the charges.

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.

Itawamba County Criminal Court Locations

  • Itawamba County Circuit Court

    Address: 201 W Main St, Fulton MS 38843
    Phone: 662-862-3511 Fax: 662-862-4006

  • Itawamba County Chancery Court

    Address: 201 W Main St, PO Box 776, Fulton MS 38843
    Phone: 662-862-3421 Fax: 662-862-3421

  • Itawamba County Youth Court

    Address: 201 W Main St, PO Box 776, Fulton, MS 38843
    Phone: 662-862-3421 Fax: 662-862-3421

  • Itawamba County Justice Court

    Address: 304 W Wiygul St, Fulton MS 38843
    Phone: 662-862-4315 Fax: 662-862-5805

  • Fulton Municipal Court

    Address: 213 W Wiygul St, Fulton MS 38843
    Phone: 662-862-4929

  • Mantachie Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 70, Mantachie MS 38855
    Phone: 662-282-7949 Fax: 662-282-4296

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