Initial Appearance - A defendant's first appearance in court. In felony cases, a date is set for a preliminary hearing. In misdemeanors, the initial appearance is also the arraignment where the defendant enters an initial plea. Misdemeanor - A crime punishable by confinement in a county jail, for one year or less. Motions - Oral or written requests about legal questions made by the prosecutor or the defendant before, during or after a trial.
Motions ask the court to issue a ruling or order regarding the case.
Pretrial Conference - A conference between attorneys to see if the case can be settled without going to trial. Probable Cause - A judicial determination that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Restitution - An amount of money set by the court to be paid to the victim of a crime for property losses or injuries caused by the crime. Sentencing - The hearing at which the court imposes sentence. Sentencing follows a guilty plea or a finding of guilt by a jury or judge.