Tallahatchie County Criminal Court

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

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.

Sentencing in Tallahatchie County

In Tallahatchie 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.

Tallahatchie County Criminal Court

Tallahatchie County Criminal Court

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Tallahatchie 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.

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.

Prosecutor in Tallahatchie County

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

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.

Burden of Proof

The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.

Where can I get help for my Tallahatchie 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 Tallahatchie 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.

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.

Arraignments in Tallahatchie County

During an arraignment in Tallahatchie County, a defendant appears before the court and the judge reads the charges that have been filed against the accused and also informs the defendant of his/her rights. During the arraignment in Tallahatchie County, the defendant can choose to plead one of the following 1) Guilty 2) Not Guilty or 3) No Contest. If the defendant enters a plea of Not Guilty, a date for trial is set. In the event of a Guilty or No Contest Plea in Tallahatchie County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

Mandatory Appearances in Tallahatchie County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Tallahatchie 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.

Where will Tallahatchie County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Tallahatchie County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Tallahatchie County.

Tallahatchie County Criminal Court Locations

  • Tallahatchie County Circuit Court – 1st District

    Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 86, Charleston MS 38921
    Phone: 662-647-8758 Fax: 662-647-8490

  • Tallahatchie County Circuit Court – 2nd District

    Address: PO Box 96, Sumner MS 38957
    Phone: 662-375-8515 Fax: 662-375-7252

  • Tallahatchie County Chancery Court – 1st District

    Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 350, Charleston MS 38921
    Phone: 662-647-5551 Fax: 662-647-3702

  • Tallahatchie County Chancery Court – 2nd District

    Address: PO Box 180, Sumner MS 38957
    Phone: 662-375-8731 Fax: 662-375-7252

  • Tallahatchie County Youth Court – 1st District

    Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 416, Charleston MS 38921
    Phone: 662-647-5551 Fax: 662-647-0218

  • Tallahatchie County Youth Court – 2nd District

    Address: 100 N Court St, PO Box 180, Sumner MS 38957
    Phone: 662-375-8731 Fax: 662-375-7252

  • Tallahatchie County Justice Court – District 1

    Address: 1 Court Square, PO Box 440, Charleston MS 38921
    Phone: 662-647-3477

  • Tallahatchie County Justice Court – District 2

    Address: PO Box 155, Sumner MS 38957
    Phone: 662-375-9452 Fax: 662-375-8200

  • Charleston Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 420, Charleston MS 38921
    Phone: 662-647-5841 Fax: 662-647-8768

  • Glendora Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 90, Glendora MS 38928
    Phone: 662-375-7333

  • Sumner Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 397, Sumner MS 38957
    Phone: 662-375-8773 Fax: 662-375-8773

  • Tutwiler Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 176, Tutwiler MS 38963
    Phone: 662-345-0057 Fax: 662-345-0058

  • Webb Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 677, Webb MS 38966
    Phone: 662-375-8164 Fax: 662-375-9494

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