Chico Misdemeanor Attorney

The Three Stages of a Misdemeanor Offense

Following an arrest, the first formal court proceeding for a misdemeanor case in California is the arraignment.

The components of an arraignment hearing include:

• The court advises the accused of his or her constitutional rights
• The court informs the accused of the specific charges that have been filed
• The accused enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest
• The court will set, modify, reinstate, or exonerate the accused’s bail
• The court determines a future court date for the pretrial

A pretrial hearing is a meeting that occurs before a trial action begins. The pretrial hearing is where most misdemeanor charges are resolved with a plea bargain or an agreement to reduce the charges or sentence. These initial meetings usually involve complex legal details, making it critical to hire a knowledgeable attorney to assist you through the proceedings.

During the pretrial phase, our skilled defense attorney can file various motions that could potentially reduce the charges you are facing, or in some cases have them dismissed outright.

Motions that our legal team commonly file before a trial include:

• A motion to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence by the police
• A motion for the prosecutor or the police to preserve and disclose evidence
• A motion to disclose the identity of an informant
• A motion for a speedy trial

Although many misdemeanor cases are resolved either at the arraignment or the pretrial hearing, adult criminal defendants often choose to exercise their right to a trial by jury. Misdemeanors that are not resolved with a plea must generally go to trial within 30 days if the defendant is in custody at the arraignment, or within 45 days if the defendant is out of custody.

The jury trial is composed of 12 members who represent the community in which the charged offense was allegedly committed. In order for the defendant to be convicted, the jury must unanimously agree that he or she is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. For peace of mind that your case is effectively presented before the jury, entrust your defense to a qualified criminal attorney.

Get Effective Legal Counsel

If you are looking to hire a law firm to represent your case, we invite you to contact our Chico misdemeanor attorney at Fawne Crabtree Attorney at Law. We are available to represent you and answer any questions you may have relating to California’s criminal justice system.