Continuance A delay of court proceedings. A final disposition is a legal action which takes place following an adult or juvenile felony arrest. Examples are dismissal, acquittal, or conviction. Examples of intermediate dispositions are suspended proceedings or the placement of a defendant in one or more programs. A pretrial procedure in which the prosecuting or defense attorney receives evidence in the possession of the other, including witness statements, police reports, scientific examinations, etc.
Discovery permits the attorneys to prepare their cases and helps to ensure a fair trial.
Dismissal A decision by a judge to end the prosecution of a case without deciding whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. DSL The Uniform Determinate Sentencing Laws which established fixed terms for crimes and removed the element of judicial discretion from sentencing proceedings. Enhancement Additional confinement time added to the base prison term, based on specific circumstances such as use of a gun or knife when committing a crime. Probation, with or without county jail time, is also a possible disposition. A decision by a judge ordering one or more persons to stand trial after a preliminary hearing.