Prentiss County Criminal Court

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

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 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.

Prentiss County Criminal Court

Prentiss County Criminal Court

Who is the prosecutor for Prentiss County?

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

Prentiss County Arraignments

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

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

Sentencing in Prentiss County

In Prentiss 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 a Plea Agreement?

A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.

Mandatory Appearances in Prentiss County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Prentiss 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.

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.

Prentiss County Criminal Court locations

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

I need help for my Prentiss 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 Prentiss 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 Prentiss 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.

Prentiss County Criminal Court Locations

  • Prentiss County Circuit Court

    Address: 101 N Main St, PO Box 727, Booneville MS 38829
    Phone: 662-728-4611 Fax: 662-728-2006

  • Prentiss County Chancery Court

    Address: 101 N Main St, PO Box 477, Booneville MS 38829
    Phone: 662-728-8151 Fax: 662-728-2007

  • Prentiss County Youth Court

    Address: 101 N Main St, PO Box 477, Booneville MS 38829
    Phone: 662-728-8151 Fax: 662-728-2007

  • Prentiss County Justice Court

    Address: 1901 E Chambers Dr, Ste C, Booneville MS 38829
    Phone: 662-728-8696 Fax: 662-728-2009

  • Booneville Municipal Court

    Address: 1901 E Chambers Dr, Ste D, Booneville MS 38829
    Phone: 662-728-5961 Fax: 662-728-8836

  • Marietta Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 88, Marietta MS 38856
    Phone: 662-728-9320 Fax: 662-728-9329

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.