You will be required to attend a pre-trial conference before the date of your trial is set to address procedural issues.
What is a pretrial conference? Prior to the trial’s scheduled date, PTC is responsible for preparing both you and the prosecution for trial and handling pertinent issues.
Continue reading to understand what will happen, what to expect, and how to prepare for a pretrial conference.
Table of Contents
What Will Happen In A Pre-Trial Conference?
The court will schedule a Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) if you are a party to a criminal case and have decided to claim trial and deny or contest the charges leveled against you. The PTC’s objectives are to prepare you and the prosecution for trial and to resolve any procedural issues prior to the trial date.
Read More: What is a Status Conference?
What Can I Expect In A Pretrial Conference?
The prosecution (represented by a prosecuting officer) and you both have to show up at the PTC.
The evidence you’ll use at trial and the witnesses you’ll call will be disclosed to the judge by you and the prosecution. Whether criminal case disclosure conference (CCDC) procedures apply to your case will also be disclosed to you by the judge.
The judge will schedule the case for trial after resolving all pertinent pre-trial issues, including a CCDC (if applicable), and after the parties are prepared for trial.
What Needs To Prepare For A Pretrial Conference?
Prior to the Pre-Trial Conference, consider whether you want to discuss the following issues at the PTC:
- Check to see if the prosecution intends to rely on the written interview statement that was taken from you by the police during the investigation. If so, you can request a copy of the statement.
- Tell the court how many witnesses you intend to call to testify at the trial in support of your defense.
- You should let the judge know if you have trouble communicating in English and will need an interpreter for the trial, either for yourself or your witnesses.
It is crucial and helpful for you to consider this before attending the Pre-Trial Conference because the Judge may ask you for a description of the legal defense that you intend to use.
The Bottom Line
Pre-trial hearings with counsel are used for a variety of purposes by judges. The Registrar or the Deputy Registrar will conduct a Pre-trial Conference and provide the necessary instructions for filing the required paperwork in court, including affidavits and other documents, in order to get ready for the hearing of your case.
Please leave your comments below if you have any additional pre-trial conferences.
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