Leflore County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Leflore County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Leflore County.
Can I request a Plea Agreement?
In Leflore 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.
What happens in Leflore County at an arraignment?
In Leflore 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.
Leflore County Criminal Court
Leflore County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Leflore County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
Leflore County Required Court Appearances
In Leflore 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 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.
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 Leflore County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Who is the prosecutor for Leflore County?
Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Leflore County criminal cases will either be a representative of Leflore County or a representative from Mississippi. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.
Where can I get help for my Leflore County criminal case?
The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Leflore County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.
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.
Jury Deliberations in Leflore County
In Leflore 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.
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.
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.
Leflore County Criminal Court Locations
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Leflore County Circuit Court
Address: 310 W Market St, PO Box 1953, Greenwood MS 38935
Phone: 662-453-1435 Fax: 662-455-1278 -
Leflore County Chancery Court
Address: PO Box 250, Greenwood MS 38935
Phone: 662-453-6203 Fax: 662-455-7965 -
County Court of Leflore County
Address: 310 W Market St, PO Box 452, Greenwood MS 38935
Phone: 662-455-7945 Fax: 662-453-0869 -
Leflore County Youth Court
Address: 310 W Market St, PO Box 452, Greenwood MS 38935
Phone: 662-455-7945 Fax: 662-453-0869 -
Leflore County Justice Court
Address: 3600 Baldwin Rd, PO Box 8056, Greenwood MS 38935
Phone: 662-453-1605 Fax: 662-455-8759 -
Greenwood Municipal Court
Address: 406 Main St, Greenwood MS 38930
Phone: 662-453-1833 Fax: 662-455-4114 -
Itta Bena Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 563, Itta Bena MS 38941
Phone: 662-254-6555