The D.A.'s office has to agree to drop the charges. Usually, we will do what the victim wants if we are sure there is no intimidation by the defendant or his family and it is in the best interests of justice. If we let the charges be dismissed you may not bring the charges up again. See the victims assistance coordinators section on this website. This depends on the complexity of the case and the investigation of the case and the case load in the county the case is in.
Lawrence county has few felony cases and they generally get to trial quickly.
Pearl River county has the heaviest case load and it takes longer to get a case to trial there. The circuit courts generally meet a certain number of weeks a year as the judges travel from county to county. Generally the case will be concluded within six months and a year after the charges are filed. Sometimes the defendants plea guilty and the case moves quickly through the system. Since the district attorney and the assistant district attorneys are in court or preparing to go to court constantly, the first person to call about the status of your case is the victims coordinator.