What to Expect During a Criminal Defense Case in Sacramento, CA

When facing legal troubles, one of the most important things to do is to arm yourself with knowledge.  This is especially true regarding criminal defense cases in Sacramento, California. Knowing what to expect during a criminal defense case in Sacramento can help ensure you are adequately prepared to handle the proceedings and optimize your chances of a favorable outcome.

The first thing you need to know about a criminal defense case is the people's roles. The Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorneys hired to represent the defendant is essential in this legal situation. This attorney is responsible for providing all legal advice, conducting any legal research that may be necessary, building a defense strategy, and generally protecting the constitutional rights of the defendant throughout the proceedings. The prosecutor, usually a local district Criminal Defense Attorney in Sacramento, represents the State of California and is the one person who is tasked with proving the defendant's guilt. The judge is the impartial person who presides over the case, rules on legal issues, and hands down the verdict. Lastly, the jury is the group of individuals who assess the evidence presented in the case and helps the judge reach a final decision.

There are also specific steps that a criminal defense case in Sacramento typically follows. The first step is a criminal investigation, which consists of gathering evidence and making an initial arrest. After this, the district Criminal Defense Attorney Sacramento CA formally charges the defendant in what is known as a complaint or indictment. This is followed by an arraignment in which the defendant officially enters their guilty or not guilty plea. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the court then schedules a pretrial conference. After this, the trial will take place. This consists of several factors, such as opening statements from the defense and the prosecution, introduction of evidence and witnesses, closing arguments from both the reason and the trial, and the jury or judges handing down a verdict. Finally, the defendant is either acquitted or found guilty, and sentencing is handed down if found guilty.

Furthermore, several strategies can be employed during a Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorneys. One of the most common is the defense of innocence. This utilizes evidence to prove that the defendant was not responsible for the crimes in question. Another strategy is the defense of entrapment, which can be used when the government's officials undertake actions designed to induce the defendant to commit a crime. Defendants can also assert the defense of self-defense if the act of violence was done to protect themselves from imminent danger. 

When facing a criminal defense case in Sacramento, the defendant can also consider alternative options such as plea deals or deferred entry of judgments Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorneys. A plea deal is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence. A deferred entry of judgment is an agreement between the court and the defendant in which the defendant pleads guilty and is placed on probation. The defendant avoids a criminal conviction as long as they comply with the conditions of said probation.

Goss Law
2000 L St #250, Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 999-7689
https://www.goss.law/