Warren County Criminal Court

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

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.

Sentencing in Warren County

In Warren 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.

Warren County Criminal Court

Warren County Criminal 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.

Jury Deliberations in Warren County

In Warren 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 Warren County?

For general information about your case the Warren 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.

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.

What happens in Warren County at an arraignment?

In Warren County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.

Who is the prosecutor for Warren County?

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

Warren County Criminal Court locations

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

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

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.

Mandatory Appearances in Warren County Criminal Court

At a mandatory or required court appearance in Warren 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.

Warren County Criminal Court Locations

  • Warren County Circuit Court

    Address: 1009 Cherry St, PO Box 351, Vicksburg MS 39181
    Phone: 601-636-3961 Fax: 601-630-4100

  • Warren County Chancery Court

    Address: 1009 Cherry St, PO Box 351, Vicksburg MS 39181
    Phone: 601-636-4415 Fax: 601-630-8185

  • County Court of Warren County

    Address: 1009 Cherry St, PO Box 351, Vicksburg MS 39181
    Phone: 601-636-3961 Fax: 601-630-4100

  • Warren County Youth Court

    Address: 1009 Cherry St, PO Box 351, Vicksburg MS 39181
    Phone: 601-636-3961 Fax: 601-630-4100

  • Warren County Justice Court

    Address: 919 Farmer St, PO Box 1598, Vicksburg MS 39181
    Phone: 601-634-6402 Fax: 601-634-8015

  • Vicksburg Municipal Court

    Address: 820 Veto St, PO Box 150, Vicksburg MS 39181
    Phone: 601-631-3742 Fax: 601-801-3544

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