What can I expect at a preliminary hearing?
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What can I expect at a preliminary hearing?
The preliminary hearing is like a mini-trial. The prosecution will call witnesses and introduce evidence, and the defense can cross-examine witnesses. If the judge concludes there is probable cause to believe the crime was committed by the defendant, a trial will soon be scheduled.
Can you be sentenced at pretrial?
The Courts may require a Judicial pretrial. The Crown at the judicial pretrial will often make their best offer for a sentence if there is a guilty plea. The judge hearing the judicial pretrial can receive the guilty plea that same day and there will be no doubt as to sentence.
What happens at a pretrial for a felony?
At the pretrial hearing (which occurs in both felony and misdemeanor cases), the parties may again discuss settlement of the case, discuss possible discovery issues, and make other motions, such as a 995, 1538.5. At the readiness conference, the parties will make an attempt to resolve the case without a trial.
