Felony Criminal Court Process
FELONY
A felony is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for a year or more. These crimes are the most serious crimes in our legal system. The stakes are extremely high when you are charged with a felony. That is why you should consult with an attorney or lawyer prior to making any decisions in your case.
ARRAIGNMENT
The felony arraignment is your first court appearance. At the felony arraignment, you will be told the charges that you are now facing. At the arraignment you or your felony attorney will enter a plea. You have three possible plea options – Guilty, Not Guilty, and No Contest. We highly encourage that you plead Not Guilty, especially if you have not yet contacted a felony lawyer like Chico, CA Criminal Defense Attorney Brandon T. Williams. The reason is because you might not know the full consequences of your felony guilty plea. At the arraignment you will set the case for a preliminary hearing exam.
Preliminary Hearing
At the preliminary hearing, the district attorney will have to put on evidence to prove that a crime has been committed and that you were the person that likely committed the crime. This is a low standard of proof. This process is used to get rid of charges that the prosecution cannot prove. Just because you are bound over on the charges does not necessarily mean that you will be found guilty of the crime in a trial. It just means that there is enough evidence to charge you with the crime. This is an important stage for a Felony Criminal Defense Attorney in Chico, CA because some charges can be dropped at this hearing.
Info on Arraignment
Info on arraignment is just like the arraignment. The charges that the judge bound you over on will be the charges you will face in trial. You will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. At this hearing the case might be set for trial.
Trial
Most cases can be resolved out of court. However, you may choose to have your case tried by either a judge or jury. At the start of the trial, both the state prosecutor and your criminal defense attorney in Chico, CA will make their opening statements. Afterwards, a reading of your case and a presentation of evidences will follow.
Witnesses will then be called to the stand to testify. Your defense lawyer will be given the chance to cross examine each witness. When the prosecutor has finished presenting his case, it will be your lawyer’s turn to present your case with your own set of witnesses. Both sides will then rest and give their respective closing arguments.
The jury will convene inside a separate room to discuss the verdict. Each juror must be fully convinced that you are guilty beyond reasonable doubt before they can pass a guilty verdict.
Sentencing
This is when the judge decides what punishments he or she will give you. There are certain rules that the judge will consider in deciding what punishment to enforce. Your attorney should go over these rules with you because these rules will affect whether you are sent to prison or given probation.
About Attorney Brandon T. Williams
Chico, CA Criminal Defense attorney Brandon T. Williams has the felony criminal defense experience that you need. He has handled numerous Felony cases such as: drug, DUI, Assault, Domestic Violence, burglary, gang, theft, and assault with a deadly weapon cases. He is the criminal defense attorney Chico, CA defendants can turn to for an aggressive defense. Call his office today!
Criminal Defense Attorney Chico, CA – Service Areas
Butte County, Tehama County, Siskiyou County, Shasta County, Yuba County, Sutter County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, Glenn County, Colusa County, Lassen County, Susanville, Chico, Sacramento, Paradise, Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, Magalia, Forrest Ranch, Durham, Palermo, Butte City, Sterling City, Berry Creek, Bangor, Honcutt, Willows, Orland, Hamilton City, Capay, Oro Bend, Anderson Red Bluff, Los Molinos, Gerber, Corning, Yuba City, Live Oak, East Nicholas, Merididan, Marysville, Olivehurst, Dobbins, Colusa, Williams, Artois, Glenn, Sutter, Citrus Heights, Natomas, Carmichael, Del Paso Heights, Fair Oaks, Elk Grove, Quincy, Weed, Plumas Lake, and Woodland.
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