PT2M15S
“a lot of clients ask us well what does that mean does it mean i'm going to trial because it has the word trial in it so i want to break down what a pre-trial conference actually is a pre-trial conference or if a court decides to call it an arraignment or a dispositional date it depends on which judge it's in front of but basically a pre-trial conference is a scheduled opportunity for your defense attorney to have a talk with the d.a about your case”
“what that means if you're a criminal defendant is often if you have an attorney i like to call it a show up and look pretty date all you have to do is show up with your attorney sit there politely wait until your case is called and let your attorney do their job”
“it can be frustrating because you think well if it's just a date where my attorney is going to talk to the da why do i have to show up there are a number of reasons one is if something important is going to happen that date you do have to be present so if you're given a really good plea deal that's only available that day you want to make sure you're present in court to accept that but also judges tend to use it as a check-in just to see hey this person is listening to my orders they're complying with what i'm telling them to do and they're able to kind of keep tabs on you without actually having to call you or follow up that way”
“so when you see a pre-trial date especially if you're a client of right law group if you see a pre-trial date we will tell you whether or not it's a pre-trial that you have to go to or one that you don't have to go to but if you do have to show up for a pre-trial date just know usually you're not going to have to do anything you're usually not going to have to say anything your attorney is going to be talking to the district attorney and moving the needle forward on your case”
“now for all intents and purposes a pre-trial date is just a scheduled hey both sides have to talk to each other date”
“for you it's a show up and look pretty date so wear your clothes that you would go to see your grandmother go to church and make sure you look presentable for the judge and rest easy knowing that your attorney's got your back”
“if you have an attorney i like to call it a show up and look pretty date all you have to do is show up with your attorney sit there politely wait until your case is called and let your attorney do their job”