Leading The Woodlands TX Criminal Lawyer Describes The Stages Of A Criminal Trial

By Rebecca Turner


When accused of violating criminal laws and you face going to trial understanding the process that lies ahead is important. In this case, information is power and knowing what to expect will enable you to remain proactive in each step of the way. A competent The Woodlands TX criminal lawyer can defend you in court and ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.

The criminal trial process has six main steps. Usually, the legal process gets into motion after an arrest. The police obtain an arrest warrant from a judge if you are accused and the evidence tabled shows that there is a likelihood that you committed a specific crime. Once you are arrested, you have a right to remain silent and request for your attorney.

After being charged, you need to attend an initial court hearing session. The judge not only has to explain your charges, but also your rights and the set bail amount. Your jurisdiction will determine whether an arraignment will be carried out during the hearing, where you can enter a no contest, guilty or not guilty plea.

The state will have the duty of creating a case against you and providing relevant evidence during a preliminary hearing. After this, the process will enter the discovery and pretrial phase and lawyers from either side have to meet and share evidence and crucial information about the case. The pretrial process involves filing motions based on the information disclosed during discovery.

A reliable criminal attorney will fight for your best interests right from the instance an arrest is made. During the pretrial, he or she could gather information and file a motion to suppress certain pieces of evidence or even dismiss them. How the pretrial stage rolls out may dictate your chances of success during the main trial. Based on how your case looks like at this point, your lawyer could even use his or her good relations with the prosecutor to get you into a plea bargain.

The trial phase is made up of several parts, the first one being the opening statements. It is followed by presentation of evidence, witness testimonies and later the closing statements. These elements need to be completed before the case is forwarded to the jury for deliberation and delivery of a verdict. Sentencing is the last part of the trial process, though it does not happen during the date of trial.

If you are found guilty of committing a crime, all is not lost. You still have the right to appeal and your attorney will ensure that all legalities are adhered to and all proper channels followed. It remains imperative to understand that a conviction can only be appealed if you plead not guilty.

The criminal litigation process is more complicated than most people assume. Even those that are sure of being innocent should not take for granted the need to have a legal advocate. For the best possible outcome, hire a seasoned attorney who has in the past handled both minor misdemeanors and serious felonies.




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