What Happens at a Pre-trial?
This blog is a follow up to our previous blog article, “What Happens At An Arraignment” These are a series of blog articles to inform our readers about the court process when you have been charged with a crime.
Other blogs in this series include “What happens at trial” and “What happens at Sentencing?”
As a Michigan criminal defense lawyer, we know how frightening it can be to be charged with a crime. The uncertainty of what might happen and not understanding the process can be daunting!
Call (734) 453-7806 for criminal defense lawyer, Aaron J. Boria. We take a great amount of pride in making sure that our clients get straightforward answers from their own lawyer. We have the answers and we fight for our clients to get the best results possible.
What Happens at a Pre-Trial?
The pre-trial is usually the second time you will appear in court.*
*In some courts like the 35th District Court in Plymouth, the court may combine the arraignment with the pre-trial. If that is the case then both the arraignment and pre-trial will happen the same day.
Almost all pre trials across the state are the same. Armed with the information you gave your lawyer, along with a review of the police report and other evidence, your lawyer will have a private face to face conversation with the prosecutor.
At the pre-trial your lawyer will talk to the prosecuting attorney about any strengths or weaknesses regarding the charges against you. Your attorney will also try to paint a picture of the person you are, not just some criminal charge written on a court paper, so that the prosecutor can see you’re not a terrible person.
The case might get resolved at the pre trial stage by a dismissal. If the case results in a dismissal you are free to go and the case is over. The majority of cases result in a reduction to a lesser offense, or some other agreement. For instance, if you are charged with operating while intoxicated, it is possible your lawyer will negate to have the case reduced to impaired driving, the lesser offense. Lesser offenses often result in lower fines, and less penalties.
If your lawyer and the prosecutor cannot agree, or if there are disputed legal issues, your lawyer may also file a motion to or request an evidentiary hearing. Sometimes, by filing a good motion or challenging a legal issue the prosecutor is more inclined to offer a better deal. It is also possible that winning the motion will result in the case being dismissed.
Finally, if there are no motions to be filed and the case cannot be resolved then it may get set for trial where a judge or jury will decide the case.
Plymouth Criminal Lawyer
If you have been charged with a crime contact Plymouth criminal lawyer, Aaron J. Boria (734) 453-7806.
We take a great deal of pride in our work and we go above and beyond for our clients. We know how important the outcome of a criminal case can be when you’re very freedom is on the line. We protect out client’s rights in order to save their future.
For the most trusted name in criminal defense call criminal defense lawyer, Aaron J. Boria today! (734) 453-7806
