Being arrested on suspicion of committing a criminal offense can lead to a criminal court sentence that requires you to pay a steep fine and potentially serve time in county jail or state prison. A lot of things need to happen between an initial arrest and a sentencing hearing to make a conviction legally valid, giving you many opportunities to proactively enforce your rights and contest the charges against you.
Understanding the criminal defense case process in Marathon could minimize unnecessary stress during your legal proceedings and help you achieve a positive resolution to your case. To learn what to expect after your arrest, reach out to our experienced defense attorneys and schedule a consultation at our firm.
The proceedings in your Marathon criminal defense case will begin with an initial court appearance no more than 24 hours after your arrest. During your appearance, you may or may not be released on recognizance or offered bail. After that, the state attorney’s office may take several days or weeks to decide whether to formally file charges against you. If it does, you must appear in court for an arraignment hearing, where you will find out what the charges are and have an opportunity to enter an initial plea.
If you enter a plea of not guilty at your arraignment, the prosecution and your defense attorney will exchange evidence through a process known as discovery. This stage of the Marathon criminal defense process is intended to give each party a clear picture of what arguments the other intends to make and how strong each side’s case is likely to be.
During or after the discovery process in your criminal case, your Marathon defense attorney may receive an offer for a plea bargain from the prosecution or, with your permission, attempt to negotiate for one. If you agree to plead guilty to your charges in exchange for less harsh penalties than you might have faced if convicted at trial, the court can schedule a sentencing hearing and start concluding your case.
If you do not accept a plea bargain after the discovery process for your Marathon case concludes, your attorney will have to defend you in a trial before a criminal judge. You will have a jury of your peers unless you intentionally waive your rights for one or your charge is especially minor. During your trial, you and your attorney will have the opportunity to present statements and evidence in your defense and to cross-examine evidence and testimony submitted by the prosecution.
If you have further questions about what to expect from your case or how to contest the charges brought against you, our team at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC, could provide the answers you need. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn more about the criminal defense case process in Marathon.
