Walthall County Criminal Court

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

Arraignments in Walthall County

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

Walthall County Criminal Court locations

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

Walthall County Criminal Court

Walthall County Criminal Court

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.

I need help for my Walthall 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 Walthall 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 Walthall 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.

Prosecutor in Walthall County

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

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

Required Court Appearances in Walthall County

Any required court appearances in Walthall 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.

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.

Jury Deliberations in Walthall County

In Walthall 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.

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.

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.

Walthall County Criminal Court Locations

  • Walthall County Circuit Court

    Address: 200 Ball Ave, Tylertown MS 39667
    Phone: 601-876-5677 Fax: 601-876-4077

  • Walthall County Chancery Court

    Address: 200 Ball Ave, PO Box 351, Tylertown MS 39667
    Phone: 601-876-3553 Fax: 601-876-6026

  • Walthall County Youth Court

    Address: 200 Ball Ave, PO Box 351, Tylertown MS 39667
    Phone: 601-876-3553 Fax: 601-876-6026

  • Walthall County Justice Court

    Address: 807 Magnolia Ave, PO Box 507, Tylertown MS 39667
    Phone: 601-876-2311 Fax: 601-876-6866

  • Tylertown Municipal Court

    Address: 433 Beulah Ave, Tylertown MS 39667
    Phone: 601-876-4440 Fax: 601-876-9114

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