What is a meeting of the judge and lawyers to plan the trial?
Asked by: Dr. Domenico Rodriguez | Last update: December 29, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (37 votes)
A pretrial conference is where the parties formally get together under the auspices of the judge. The defendant (or their lawyer) can formally meet with the prosecutor to discuss the facts of the case. Although there may not be a resolution of the case at the pretrial conference, it is climactic in a sense.
What is a court meeting called?
“Court meeting” (a.k.a. court conference) is a meeting between the judge and the parties' lawyers to ensure that procedures are followed, added or subtracted for the timely and cost-effective operation of the case, including exploring the possibility of settlement of any certain issues before the court hearing begins.
Do lawyers meet with judges?
A: Under California law, parties representing themselves, known as "pro per" or "pro se" litigants, have the right to request meetings or communications with a judge.
What is the next step after a pretrial conference?
After the pre-trial hearing, the attorneys appear before the judge to advise the court on the status of the case. If there is a plea bargain, the lawyers will tell the court of the resolution and place the plea on the record by stating the terms of the resolution in open court.
What does the judge do before the trial?
Before the trial, the judge will read the relevant papers to familiarise himself or herself with the details of the case. Such paperwork will include the indictment setting out the charges on which the defendant is to be tried, exhibits (evidence) and witness statements.
What Happens at a Hearing or Trial?
What does the judge say before a trial?
Judge: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case of the People of the State of California versus (defendant's first name). Are both sides ready? District Attorney: Ready for the People, Your Honor.
What happens if you plead not guilty and are found guilty?
But of course, even if you plead not guilty, you can still be found guilty of some or all of your charges after the trial. That means you may be subject to full sentencing — and the previous plea bargains offered to you will no longer be available.
How do you know if your case will be dismissed?
Some signs we look for are a lack of physical evidence, gaps in the chain of custody of evidence, contradictory eyewitness accounts, or witnesses who lack credibility. If the prosecution's case is built on a shaky foundation, they often realize a dismissal or plea deal is their best option.
What happens if you plead guilty at pretrial?
Once more information is provided, a person may decide to enter a guilty plea- typically at a later pre-trial hearing. If you plead guilty it means you admit the charge and elements to prove the charge. By pleading guilty you waive your constitutional rights and in most cases will be sentenced right then.
Who can attend a pretrial conference?
Generally speaking, a pre-trial conference is a court hearing where a prosecutor and a defense attorney get together and discuss whether a case is going to go to trial or whether it can be resolved through a plea agreement.
Do lawyers respect judges?
Lawyers, as officers of the court, are expected to act with deference and respect toward judges. Speaking sharply to or publicly criticizing members of the bench is frowned upon and not infrequently met with punitive responses. The judiciary, however, is not above reproach.
Is it okay to argue with a judge?
No matter what is said in the courtroom, you should exercise self-control. Don't argue with the opposing party, their attorney, the judge, or Judiciary staff, even if you are upset by your case.
What is a meeting with a lawyer called?
Your first meeting with a lawyer is called an “initial consultation.” During this meeting, the lawyer will decide whether she wants to take your case, and you will decide whether you want to hire this lawyer.
Can a case be dismissed at a status conference?
The judge will not dismiss the case at a status conference. That would require a motion to dismiss, or a motion for summary judgment, depending on the phase of the case.
Is it better to plead guilty or go to trial?
One reason so many cases get resolved by plea bargain is that a deal provides (more) certainty for the defendant. If the prosecutor and defense make a deal and the judge agrees to it, the defendant will have a good idea of the outcome. With a trial, there's a much bigger risk of a tougher sentence.
How to convince a judge to not put you in jail?
Defending the Case
The best way to avoid jail is to avoid a conviction by getting the case dismissed, either by filing motions to suppress or going to trial and getting a not guilty verdict from the jury.
How do you know if a case is being built against you?
If if the state you refer to is in the US, you could try calling the local public defender's office for the county where the charges would likely be filed and see if they could run your name and find out if there's a case and/or a warrant out on you.
Can a trial be dismissed?
In many criminal cases, the defendant can participate in a pretrial diversion program. If they successfully meet the requirements, the court will dismiss their case. In California, there are different types of pretrial diversion programs, including: Drug diversion programs.
How do you know if a criminal case is strong?
If the state has strong witnesses, photographs, video, or other compelling evidence, or you made damaging admissions, the prosecutor will most likely take a harder approach in your case, making it harder to get the charges against you reduced to a lesser offense. Your defenses will play a role in the outcome as well.
How do I know if I have been dismissed?
You've been dismissed if your employer has done any of the following: ended your contract of employment, with or without notice. refused to renew your fixed-term contract. made you redundant, including voluntary redundancy.
Do you go to jail right away if you plead guilty?
Answer: Yes, you can go to jail at a plea hearing if the judge accepts a guilty plea and imposes a sentence that includes incarceration. This is more likely if the charges are severe, or if jail time is part of a plea agreement.
Why should you never plead guilty?
By maintaining a not guilty plea, you ensure that your right to a fair trial is preserved, and the burden of proof remains squarely on the prosecution. Additionally, pleading not guilty allows your defense attorney the necessary time and opportunity to build a robust defense.
Does pleading guilty reduce your sentence?
You may be able to enter into a favorable plea agreement with the prosecutor if you agree to plead guilty. They may drop the charges to a less serious offense or agree to reduce your sentence. This can be extremely beneficial, especially if you face a jail or prison sentence.