Pearl River County Criminal Court

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

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Prosecutor in Pearl River County

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

Pearl River County Criminal Court

Pearl River County Criminal Court

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Pearl River 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.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Pearl River 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.

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.

I need help for my Pearl River County criminal case

The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Pearl River County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Pearl River County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.

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

Pearl River County Criminal Court hearings

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

Pearl River County Arraignments

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

Sentencing in Pearl River County

In Pearl River 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.

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.

Pearl River County Required Court Appearances

In Pearl River 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.

Pearl River County Criminal Court Locations

  • Pearl River County Circuit Court

    Address: 200 S Main St, Poplarville MS 39470
    Phone: 601-403-2300 Fax: 601-403-2327

  • Pearl River County Chancery Court

    Address: 200 S Main St, PO Box 431, Poplarville MS 39470
    Phone: 601-403-2300 Fax: 601-403-2317

  • County Court of Pearl River County

    Address: 917 Goodyear Blvd, PO Box 1746, Picayune MS 39466
    Phone: 601-749-7720 Fax: 601-749-7725

  • County Court of Pearl River County

    Address: 200 S Main St, Poplarville MS 39470
    Phone: 601-403-2300 Fax: 601-403-2327

  • Pearl River County Youth Court

    Address: 2561 Old Brandon Road, PO Box 5426, Pearl, MS 39288
    Phone: 601-863-3237 Fax: 601-863-3234

  • Pearl River County Youth Court

    Address: 917 Goodyear Blvd, PO Box 1746, Picayune MS 39466
    Phone: 601-749-7735 Fax: 601-749-7727

  • Pearl River County Justice Court

    Address: 169 Savannah Millard Rd, Ste A, Poplarville MS 39470
    Phone: 601-403-2572 Fax: 601-403-2553

  • Picayune Municipal Court

    Address: 203 Goodyear Blvd, Picayune MS 39466
    Phone: 601-798-9773 Fax: 601-799-1896

  • Poplarville Municipal Court

    Address: 200 Hwy 26 E, Poplarville MS 39470
    Phone: 601-795-1002 Fax: 601-795-2884

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