Pretrial

The defendant is formally presented with the charges by a judge 

The defendant enters a plea

Bond can be raised or lowered 

A next court date is set and the case is moved to the trial docket. 

The defense makes charging and sentencing concessions in exchange for a guilty plea. 

This is mostly done to AVOID GOING TO TRIAL

This can happen because: 

• The victim wants to avoid further trauma that a trial would create. 

• The victim would prefer to end the case. 

The original trial date can be pushed forward 

This can happen because: 

• The court has a limited number of cases they can hear in a week; older cases will go first if they are ready for trial 

• The prosecution or defense can request more time in order to further prepare for the trial.