In some cases, your case may not go to trial. If the state has overwhelming evidence of your guilt, you may choose to accept the state’s offer of a plea bargain to plead guilty. Conversely, the state may find that it does not have sufficient evidence to be confident that it will obtain a conviction and decide to dismiss your charges. If you decide to contest your charges at trial, the state has the burden to prove every element of each charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Your trial will be heard by a jury of regular people who are chosen based on their ability to be fair and impartial. You will have the opportunity to contest the state’s evidence and to present your own evidence of your innocence, but at all times the state has the sole burden to present evidence and to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt -- you have no obligation to prove your innocence.