MISDEMEANOR
Arraignment
- Bail
- Confirm attorney of record
- Confirm identity of defendant
- Identify the charges
Pre-Trial Conference (one or more)
- Plea negotiations
- Identify the issues
- Identify any witnesses
- Identify case strengths/weaknesses
- Pre-Trial Motions
Trial
- Pre-Trial Motions
- Issues of fact are decided
Sentencing
- Judge imposes sentencing after defendant has been convicted
Appeal
- The defense may request a higher court to change the lower court's decision
Expungement
- Expungement is a legal term for sealing one's criminal record
FELONY - LOWER COURT
Arraignment
- Bail
- Confirm attorney of record
- Confirm identity of defendant
- Identify the charges
Pre-Preliminary Hearing
- Plea negotiations
- Identify the issues
- Identify any witnesses
- Identify case strengths/weaknesses
Preliminary Hearing ("Mini-Trial")
- Judge decides whether there exists probable cause that a crime was committed and that the defendant before him or her was the one who committed it
- Pre-Trial Motions
FELONY - TRIAL COURT
Arraignment
- Bail
- Confirm attorney of record
- Confirm identity of defendant
- Identify the charges
Pre-Trial Conference (one or more)
- Plea negotiations
- Identify the issues
- Identify any witnesses
- Identify case strengths/weaknesses
- Pre-Trial Motions
Trial
- Pre-Trial Motions
- issues of fact are decided
Sentencing
- Judge imposes sentencing after defendant has been convicted
Appeal
- The defense may request a higher court to change the lower court's decision
Expungement
- Expungement is a legal term for dismissing one's criminal record after a conviction
To find out more information about these topics, please call us direct at 323-467-6400.
