Madison County Criminal Court

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

Who is the prosecutor for Madison County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Madison County criminal cases will either be a representative of Madison 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Madison 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.

Madison County Criminal Court

Madison County Criminal Court

Madison County Criminal Court hearings

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

Who can help me in Madison County?

For general information about your case the Madison 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.

Madison County Required Court Appearances

In Madison 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.

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.

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

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 happens in Madison County at an arraignment?

In Madison 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.

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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Madison 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.

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.

Madison County Criminal Court Locations

  • Madison County Circuit Court

    Address: 128 W North St, PO Box 1626, Canton MS 39046
    Phone: 601-859-4365 Fax: 601-859-8555

  • Madison County Chancery Court

    Address: 146 W Center St, PO Box 404, Canton MS 39046
    Phone: 601-859-1177 Fax: 601-859-0337

  • County Court of Madison County

    Address: 128 W North St, PO Box 1626, Canton MS 39046
    Phone: 601-859-4365 Fax: 601-859-8555

  • Madison County Youth Court

    Address: 128 W North St, PO Box 1626, Canton MS 39046
    Phone: 601-859-4365 Fax: 601-859-8555

  • Madison County Justice Court

    Address: 2961 S Liberty St, Canton MS 39046
    Phone: 601-859-6337 Fax: 601-859-2570

  • Canton Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 1605, Canton MS 39046
    Phone: 601-859-9291 Fax: 601-859-9034

  • Flora Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 218, Flora MS 39071
    Phone: 601-879-8871 Fax: 601-879-3630

  • Madison Municipal Court

    Address: 2001 Main St, PO Box 2489, Madison MS 39130
    Phone: 601-856-6111 Fax: 601-856-2178

  • Ridgeland Municipal Court

    Address: 115 W School St, Ridgeland MS 39157
    Phone: 601-853-2001 Fax: 601-853-7978

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