Quitman County Criminal Court

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

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.

Quitman County Arraignments

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

Quitman County Criminal Court

Quitman County Criminal Court

Jury Deliberations in Quitman County

In Quitman 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.

Who can help me in Quitman County?

For general information about your case the Quitman 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.

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.

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.

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.

Who is the prosecutor for Quitman County?

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

Sentencing in Quitman County

In Quitman 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.

Quitman County Criminal Court locations

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

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 Quitman 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.

Required Court Appearances in Quitman County

Any required court appearances in Quitman 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.

Quitman County Criminal Court Locations

  • Quitman County Circuit Court

    Address: 220 Chestnut St, Ste 4, Marks MS 38646
    Phone: 601-326-8003 Fax: 601-326-8004

  • Quitman County Chancery Court

    Address: 220 Chestnut St, Ste 2, Marks MS 38646
    Phone: 662-326-2661 Fax: 662-326-8004

  • Quitman County Youth Court

    Address: 220 Chestnut St, Ste 2, Marks MS 38646
    Phone: 662-326-2661 Fax: 662-326-8004

  • Quitman County Justice Court

    Address: 275 E Main St, PO Box 100, Marks MS 38646
    Phone: 662-326-2104 Fax: 662-326-8004

  • Crowder Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 97, Crowder MS 38622
    Phone: 662-326-8822

  • Lambert Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 1198, Lambert MS 38643
    Phone: 662-326-8018 Fax: 662-326-8017

  • Marks Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 315, Marks MS 38646
    Phone: 662-326-3161 Fax: 662-326-3164

  • Sledge Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 276, Sledge MS 38670
    Phone: 662-382-7716 Fax: 662-382-5098

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