What can I expect at a preliminary hearing?

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.