TYPES OF HEARINGS
Criminal cases have various stages of proceedings set and heard by the Court. Listed below are customary hearings for municipal ordinance violations, petty offenses, and misdemeanor matters:
Arraignment: The defendant is brought before the Court to plead to the charges in the summons and complaint.
Disposition/Plea Hearing: The prosecuting attorney and defense discuss the possibility of disposing of a case prior to trial.
Motions: An oral or written request made by a party to the Court for a ruling or order directing some act or action to be performed.
Court Trial: There is no Jury and a Judge or Magistrate determines both the issues of law and the facts of the case. The Judge or Magistrate will determine the guilt or innocence and impose sentence.
Jury Trial: The case is presented to a Jury and the factual questions and the final judgment are determined by a Jury.
Sentencing: The punishment imposed by the judicial officer. A sentence could include, but not limited to, fines, costs, fees, jail time, probation, behavior modification classes, and community service. Sentencing can occur immediately after a finding or plea of guilty, or can be scheduled for a later date.
Review Hearings: A hearing to review the sentencing compliance status of a defendant.
Probation Show Cause Hearing: A hearing to review the non-compliance of a defendant on probation prior to probation being revoked.
Probation Revocation Hearing: A hearing to determine if defendant should remain on probation, have their probation terms modified, or have their probation revoked and be sent to jail.