Tippah County Criminal Court

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

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.

I need help for my Tippah 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 Tippah 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 Tippah 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.

Tippah County Criminal Court

Tippah County Criminal Court

What if I can’t afford an attorney?

The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.

Where will Tippah County criminal case hearings take place?

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

Arraignments in Tippah County

During an arraignment in Tippah 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 Tippah 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 Tippah County the defendant may be sentenced at that time or the sentencing may take place at a later date.

Required Court Appearances in Tippah County

Any required court appearances in Tippah 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.

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.

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.

Can I request a Plea Agreement?

In Tippah 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.

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.

Who is the prosecutor for Tippah County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Tippah County criminal cases will either be a representative of Tippah 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 Deliberations in Tippah County

In Tippah 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.

Tippah County Criminal Court Locations

  • Tippah County Circuit Court

    Address: 102 N Main St, Ripley MS 38663
    Phone: 662-837-7370 Fax: 662-837-1030

  • Tippah County Chancery Court

    Address: 101 E Spring St, Ripley MS 38663
    Phone: 662-837-7374 Fax: 662-837-7148

  • Tippah County Youth Court

    Address: 101 E Spring St, Ripley MS 38663
    Phone: 662-837-7374 Fax: 662-837-7148

  • Tippah County Justice Court

    Address: 205 W Spring St, Ripley MS 38663
    Phone: 662-837-8842 Fax: 662-837-1105

  • Blue Mountain Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 116, Blue Mountain MS 38610
    Phone: 662-685-4721 Fax: 662-685-4031

  • Ripley Municipal Court

    Address: 500 S Main St, Ripley MS 38663
    Phone: 662-837-3659 Fax: 662-837-2212

  • Walnut Municipal Court

    Address: PO Box 540, Walnut MS 38683
    Phone: 662-223-4405 Fax: 662-223-4374

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