Felony charges in Rankin County are prosecuted at the courthouse in Brandon, the seat of Rankin County and home to the 20th Circuit Court District (serving Rankin and Madison counties). After arrest, you must appear before a judge within 48 hours for an initial appearance. We defend you at every stage: initial appearance, preliminary hearing, grand jury, and trial.
- Initial appearance must occur within 48 hours of arrest under Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure
- All Rankin County felonies are heard at the Brandon courthouse before a circuit judge
- Pearl and Flowood municipal courts handle city misdemeanors; felonies go to circuit court
- Rankin County is known for aggressive DUI and drug enforcement on I-20/Hwy 80
- We serve Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, Florence, and the Jackson-metro area
Aggressive Criminal Defense in Rankin County
Felony charges in Rankin County carry serious consequences. The prosecution is aggressive, especially on DUI and drug charges along the I-20 and Highway 80 corridors where state police and local law enforcement conduct frequent traffic stops and sobriety checkpoints. You need a criminal defense attorney who understands both the courts and the enforcement tactics used in this county.
Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A. has represented clients throughout Rankin County for over 45 years, from Brandon's downtown courthouse to Pearl, Flowood, Richland, and Florence. We have handled high-profile Jackson-metro matters covered by the Associated Press and Mississippi Today, including cases where grand juries declined to indict our clients and a high-profile murder defense. Our attorneys appear regularly in the Brandon courthouse, understand the judges and prosecutors, and fight hard to protect your freedom and your record.
How Criminal Defense Works in Rankin County
Understanding the Rankin County criminal process helps you prepare for the steps ahead. Here is what to expect from arrest through trial at the 20th Circuit Court District courthouse in Brandon.
You are arrested and taken to the Rankin County jail. Within 48 hours, you must be brought before a magistrate or judge at the Brandon courthouse for an initial appearance. This is where bail is set and you are informed of your rights. Your attorney can request bail reduction or release conditions.
You have the right to demand a preliminary hearing within 10 days of arrest. This hearing is held before a justice court judge in Rankin County. Your attorney challenges whether probable cause exists for the charge. Prosecution must present enough evidence to "bind over" the case to the Rankin County Circuit Court.
After probable cause is established, the case goes to a grand jury at the Brandon courthouse. The grand jury decides whether there is probable cause to charge you with a felony. Your attorney can request that witnesses testify and challenge the evidence presented against you.
At arraignment at the Brandon courthouse, you enter a plea and the prosecutor provides discovery, police reports, breathalyzer results, witness statements. Your attorney reviews all evidence and prepares motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence.
Your attorney files motions to suppress unconstitutional searches, challenge DUI testing procedures, and exclude statements made without proper warnings. Many cases resolve through plea negotiation. We fight for the best possible outcome at every step.
If the case does not settle, we prepare for trial before a circuit judge at the Rankin County courthouse. If convicted, we advocate for lenient sentencing and prepare for appeal if necessary. You have the right to appeal within 30 days.
The Courts That Serve Rankin County
Courthouse in Brandon, MS. The 20th Circuit Court District serves Rankin County and Madison County. All felony charges are prosecuted here before a circuit judge. This is where your trial will take place.
City of Pearl. Handles city misdemeanors and traffic violations for Pearl police arrests. Some first-offense DUI charges are handled here. Felonies and serious misdemeanors go to circuit court in Brandon.
City of Flowood. Handles city misdemeanors and traffic violations for Flowood police arrests. Many DUI arrests on Hwy 80 near Flowood are prosecuted here for first-offense cases. Felonies go to the Brandon circuit court.
Your Rankin County Criminal Defense Team
Related Criminal Defense Services
Comprehensive state criminal defense for felony and misdemeanor charges.
Expert defense against DUI charges, breathalyzer challenges, and blood test disputes.
Defense against weapons charges, federal firearms violations, and felon-in-possession charges.
Defense in the Jackson area and Hinds County courts for major felonies.
Defense in Madison County, the other county in the 20th Circuit District.
Clear your Rankin County criminal record after non-adjudication or conviction.
What Criminal Clients Say About Our Team
Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 21 Google reviews
“Tom Fortner is an exceptional criminal defense attorney. He is knowledgeable, aggressive, and truly cares about his clients. He explained every step of the process and fought hard on my behalf in court.”
Google Review
“I was facing serious charges and LFM gave me hope. Arman Miri was professional, strategic, and treated me with respect throughout the entire process. I highly recommend this firm for criminal defense.”
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“Valorie Cochran is a dedicated attorney who fights for her clients. She was compassionate, knowledgeable, and took time to answer all my questions. I felt confident in her representation.”
Google Review
Reviews are from actual clients on Google and Avvo. Every case is different, prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rankin County Criminal Defense
Where is the Rankin County Circuit Court located?
The Rankin County Circuit Court is located at the courthouse in Brandon, Mississippi, the seat of Rankin County. The 20th Circuit Court District serves Rankin County and Madison County. This is where all felony charges in Rankin County are prosecuted.
What is a 48-hour initial appearance in Rankin County?
Under the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, you must be brought before a magistrate or judge within 48 hours of arrest for an initial appearance. At the Brandon courthouse, the charge is read, bail is set, and you are informed of your rights. Your attorney can request lower bail or release on your own recognizance.
Why is DUI prosecution so aggressive on I-20 and Hwy 80 in Rankin County?
Rankin County, especially Flowood and Pearl along I-20 and Highway 80, sees heavy commercial traffic and regular sobriety checkpoints. State police and local law enforcement conduct frequent DUI enforcement in these corridors. First-offense DUI charges are often handled in municipal courts; felony DUI charges go to the Brandon circuit court.
How long do I have to request a preliminary hearing in Rankin County?
You have the right to demand a preliminary hearing within 10 days of arrest. This hearing is held before a justice court judge in Rankin County. Your attorney challenges the probable cause for the charge. If probable cause is found, the case is bound over to Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon.
What happens at a grand jury hearing in the 20th Circuit?
After your preliminary hearing, your case is presented to a grand jury at the Brandon courthouse. The grand jury decides whether probable cause exists to prosecute you for the felony. Your attorney can request that witnesses be called to testify and can challenge the evidence presented by the prosecutor.
What are the consequences of a DUI conviction in Rankin County?
A first DUI conviction carries a mandatory minimum driver's license suspension, fines of $250-$1,000, jail time of 24 hours to 6 months, and an alcohol education program. Rankin County judges are known for strict DUI enforcement. Non-adjudication (avoiding a conviction) may be available for eligible first-time offenders.
Can I get a drug charge dismissed in Rankin County?
Drug charges can be dismissed or reduced if the evidence was obtained illegally, the search violated your Fourth Amendment rights, or the prosecution cannot prove you possessed the drugs. Your attorney files motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence and challenges the chain of custody at the Brandon courthouse.
What is a "binding over" in Rankin County?
After the preliminary hearing before a justice court judge in Rankin County, if probable cause is found, the case is "bound over" to circuit court in Brandon. This means the case proceeds to the Rankin County Circuit Court (20th Circuit District) for trial or plea negotiation.
Can I get my Rankin County criminal record expunged?
Yes. Under Mississippi Code § 99-19-71, non-adjudicated cases can be expunged immediately, and adjudicated misdemeanors after 5 years. Felony charges that do not result in conviction can be expunged after 10 years. We can guide you through expungement at the Rankin County courthouse in Brandon.
Do I have to testify in my Rankin County criminal trial?
No. You have the Fifth Amendment right not to testify. Your attorney can advise whether testifying is strategically wise in your case. The prosecutor cannot comment on your silence, and the jury is instructed that your failure to testify cannot be held against you.
What areas near Rankin County do you serve for criminal defense?
We serve Brandon, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, and Florence in Rankin County, as well as Madison County (the other county in the 20th Circuit District), Hinds County, and the entire Jackson-metro area. We also handle federal criminal charges in the U.S. District Court in Jackson.
Do I need a lawyer for my Rankin County criminal charge?
Strongly recommended. Rankin County prosecution is aggressive, especially on I-20/Hwy 80 where DUI and drug cases are common. An experienced criminal defense attorney protects your rights at every stage: initial appearance, preliminary hearing, grand jury, and trial. We negotiate with prosecutors and fight to protect your freedom and your record.
What is a trial in Rankin County Circuit Court like?
At trial in the Rankin County courthouse in Brandon, the prosecutor presents evidence and witnesses. Your attorney cross-examines prosecution witnesses and presents your defense. The judge (not a jury in most criminal cases) decides guilty or not guilty. You have the right to an attorney, to see evidence against you, and to appeal a conviction within 30 days.
How much does criminal defense cost in Rankin County?
Costs vary by case complexity and charge severity. We offer transparent fee structures: flat fees for misdemeanors, hourly rates for felonies, and payment plans when needed. The cost of a conviction, a criminal record, job loss, jail time, far exceeds the cost of skilled legal representation.