People in Court
What does the Judge do?
the Judge is the boss of the courtroom. He makes sure your rights are protected and makes important decisions about the case.
What is a misdemeanor charge?
a misdemeanor is a less serious charge.
True or False: when you first walk into the courtroom the judge believes you did not commit the crime.
True. You are innocent until proven guilty.
what are two things that happen at a detention hearing?
You are told what your charges are. the judge decides if you stay in custody or are released. you are given rules to follow until next court hearing.
What does admitting to charges mean?
You are saying you did the crime.
What does your attorney (defense attorney do?)
Your attorney works for you and defends you in court. Anything you say to your attorney is confidential (private)
what is a felony charge?
What does your right to have a trial mean?
You can tell the judge you did not commit a crime and have your lawyer represent you in a trial.
What is a pre-trial confrence?
Pretrial conference is a hearing to determine if more time is needed to prepare for your case.
what does denying the charges mean?
You are saying you did not commit the crime.
what does the District Attorney do?
The District Attorney works for the county and state. Their job is to show the judge evidence that you committed the crime.
Give two examples of a misdemeanor
graffiti, shoplifting, giving false information
What does your right to cross examine mean?
your lawyer will be able to ask the witness questions for you. You should tell your lawyer if you think a witness is lying.
What happens if you go to trial?
The DA will bring witnesses and evidence to show you committed a crime. Your attorney will bring witnesses and evidence to show you did not. The judge will determine if you did or did not commit the crime.
what happens if you admit to charges?
Your next hearing will be a disposition to recieve consequences
What does the Probation Officer do?
The POs job is to help the judge decide what rules you should follow and tells the judge how you are doing. The PO can recommend consequences.
give two examples of felonies
robbery with force, assault, weapons charges
Do you have to speak in court about your crime?
No. you do not have to speak about the crime and your lawyer can speak for you.
What happens at a Disposition hearing?
Disposition Hearings (Sentencing) determines what the consequences are. Examples of consequences can include: serve time on probation, stay away orders, GPS, being sent to a group home, and attend counseling.
How do you decide if you should take a plea deal or not?
Your lawyer will explain the plea deal to you. You can decide with your lawyer if you should accept it. You do not have to accept a deal and can go to trial.
Who is the defendant in court? what is their job.
You are the defendant (also called youth/minor). Your job is to pay attention and cooperate with your lawyer.
What makes a charge more serious?
harm to another person, more violence, damage that costs more money
True or false: you can bring witnesses to court to help your case
True your lawyer can bring witnesses to help tell your side of the story. you should tell your lawyer about witness who can show you did not commit a crime.
At what hearing does the judge decide if you committed the crime or not?
trial
Give an example of what a plea deal might look like. Would you accept that deal or not?
.