A pre-trial hearing is one of the many steps required when criminal proceedings are brought before the courts. In Arizona, the status conference is an opportunity for your defense attorney and attorney to resolve the case. Judges use pre-trial conferences with lawyers for many purposes. One type of conference that is gaining popularity is the status conference (sometimes called an early conference). This conference, which is held after all the first pleadings have been filed, assists the judge in administering the case. Judges use it to set a schedule for the completion of all pre-trial activities and can set a preliminary hearing date at that time. A status conference is not a process. This is not a time when witnesses are presented by you or by the prosecutor. You do not have to testify and you do not have to present evidence to the court. There is usually a lot of time between the status conference and trial, so you don`t have to worry that your case isn`t yet ready to be heard by a jury. The status conference is part of the process of preparing for a trial when it finally becomes necessary to resolve your case.

Instead, find a criminal defense attorney who has experience with cases similar to yours. If you are accused of sex crimes, drug offences, or assault, hire a defense attorney to practice in these areas of criminal law. If your case is not resolved at the status conference, it does not mean that it cannot be positively resolved at a later date. Especially with status conferences taking place at the beginning of the case, the parties simply do not have enough information to successfully negotiate a solution. Other cases should simply not be resolved by plea and require a jury trial. You have the opportunity to find the best path forward for your case with the help of your Blanchard Law lawyer. Judges also use pre-trial conferences to encourage the resolution of cases. At the conference, the judge and lawyers can review the evidence and clarify contentious issues.

Occasionally, the judge will participate in the conversation between the prosecutor and your lawyer. The judge could decide whether or not to accept a particular criminal plea or agreement, or make suggestions to resolve the case in a particular way. However, the judge cannot force the prosecutor to make a particular offer to resolve the case, just as the judge cannot force you to accept a particular offer. In criminal cases, the accused must be present at the courthouse at the status conference. However, it is customary for the accused not to be present in the room during the meeting between the prosecutor and the defence lawyer. In most cases, only the prosecutor and defence counsel participate in the status conference. Sometimes, however, the judge may also be present. One of the most important benefits of agreeing to a plea agreement is that you can get on with your life. You can leave the criminal proceedings behind and move on without going to trial.

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the status conference. If you have specific questions about your case, you can always contact your Blanchard Law lawyer. During the status conference, your lawyer and the Crown will discuss the allegations against you and possible solutions. For example, the prosecutor may agree to reduce the sentence if you agree to plead guilty. Your lawyer may suggest reducing the charges against you based on the evidence they want to present in court. During the status conference, your lawyer will sit down with the prosecutor responsible for pursuing your case. You can talk about information that the prosecutor has not yet provided to you and your lawyer, such as police reports, dashcam or body camera videos, videos of witness interviews, electronic evidence or lab reports, and discuss the timelines and methods of handing over this evidence. In at least 28 states, court-affiliated arbitration or mediation is automatic for many cases, such as cases below a certain amount.