What happens on your first court appearance?
What happens on your first court appearance?
At your first appearance or on a later date you will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, a trial date will be set to be heard in Provincial Court. If you plead guilty, the Crown Prosecutor will tell the Judge the particulars of the offence you are charged with.
Should you plead not guilty?
You should definitely plead NOT GUILTY to your criminal or traffic charge! The criminal justice system is designed for you to plead “Not Guilty.” This is the case because in America you are considered innocent until the prosecutor can prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Is going to court scary?
If you have to go to court, it’s OK to feel scared. Adults get scared about court, too. Just remember the judge is there to make sure everything is fair. Children usually go to court because of cases involving their family.
How do I convince my DA to drop charges?
If you want to ask the prosecutor to do so, you fill out an “affidavit of non-prosecution,” or “ANP” for short. You sign this document under oath, citing the reasons you do not want the case to be prosecuted. However, there can be some complications in this matter.
Can I snitch to get charges dropped?
If you, as an informant, perform the job assigned to you by law enforcement, you can expect to have your charges dropped or reduced in exchange for your successful work. As an informant, you may be required to agree to participate in a set number of drug buys or arrests before your charges will be dropped or reduced.
