What is Pre-Trial Conference?
Your pre-trial hearing will provide you with an opportunity to negotiate with the prosecutor, so it’s important to arrive prepared. Read on to learn about what to expect from the pre-trial process and how a Utah criminal defense attorney can help.
When is a Pre-Trial Conference Available in Utah?
Your very first appearance before the court is called an arraignment. At the arraignment, you’ll be brought before the court (either in person or through video conference at the county jail), informed of the charges against you, and asked if you’d like to submit a plea. In general, there are only three types of plea: guilty, not guilty, and nolo contendere (no contest).
- A guilty plea will prompt the court to schedule a sentencing hearing. Because you’ve already admitted guilt, the only issue that remains is the sentence you’ll receive.
- Pleading not guilty will prompt the court to set a pre-trial conference.
A pre-trial conference will provide you with the opportunity to discuss and negotiate your case with the prosecutor. If a plea deal can’t isn’t reached or accepted, your defense attorney will prepare for trial.
We know what it takes to turn experience into results. Our attorneys understand how prosecutors think, how to challenge the evidence, and when to negotiate or take your case to trial. Every strategy is built around putting you in the strongest possible position.
But we don’t just know how to win—we have a track record that proves it. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of clients represented, our results speak for themselves.
Proven Results. Relentless Defense.
A History of Successful Defenses
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Not Guilty State v. A - Not Guilty on Attempted Rape, Forcible Sex Abuse, Kidnapping, Assault
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Not Guilty State v. A - Not Guilty on Attempted Rape, Kidnapping & Assault
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Dismissed State v. F - Aggravated Sexual Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping Dismissed
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Dismissed State v. F - DV & Aggravated Assault Charges Dismissed
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Dismissed State v. F - Protective Order Violation Charges Dismissed
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Dismissed State v. F - Violation of Protective Order Dismissed
What is the Purpose of a Pre-Trial Conference?
The pre-trial conference is designed to help both parties decide contested evidentiary matters and other issues that, if brought up for the first time at trial, could cause delays and waste resources.
The primary objectives of a pre-trial hearing are to:
- develop and clarify the matters in the case
- eliminate frivolous claims or defenses
- acquire admissions of fact and documents to avoid unnecessary proof
- identify witnesses and legal documents
- make schedules for the submission of pretrial briefs and motions
- make rulings on motions submitted before the conference
- set dates for further conferences
- explore the possibility of a plea bargain deal
- explore the consolidation or management of large, complex cases.
Often, the prosecutor will offer a plea bargain early in the pre-trial process. Accepting a plea deal will require you to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a shorter sentence or the dismissal of certain related charges. Although judges aren’t required to approve plea agreements, if the judge deems the agreement to be a fair resolution of charges, he or she will accept it.
At this point, you move to the sentencing phase, and the pre-trial process is over.
If the case isn’t negotiated to lesser charges, your pre-trial conferences will focus on the identification of witnesses, the scheduling of depositions to take witnesses’ statements, and the admissibility of certain evidence. You may have the opportunity to challenge certain physical evidence offered by the prosecution or be asked to defend your proposed witnesses by providing a summary of expected testimony.
After each conference, the judge or magistrate will issue an order reflecting what took place at the conference and setting any future deadlines in the case.
Do You Need a Lawyer During a Pre-Trial Conference Hearing?
The pre-trial process can create a seeming whirlwind of activity, and it can be hard to know when to consult an attorney. A criminal defense attorney should be consulted well before a pre-trial conference to enable them to analyze the evidence and prepare for court. Being convicted of a crime can carry some hefty penalties that may follow you for the rest of your life. As a result, it’s crucial to protect your rights by consulting a Utah defense attorney before your first pre-trial conference. If you’ve found yourself facing criminal charges in Utah, contact Wasatch Defense Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Why Choose Wasatch Defense Lawyers
Hire at Team You Can Count On
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Largest Criminal Defense Team in the History of the State
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100+ Years of Combined Criminal Defense Experience
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Fewer than 1% of its clients have been sent to prison
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Over 650 Trials Handled
our winning strategy
4 Steps to a Positive Outcome
Every case is different. At Wasatch Defense Lawyers, we thoroughly investigate the facts, examine the evidence, and identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Our attorneys evaluate every available option, from challenging improper procedures and suppressing evidence to negotiating reduced charges or preparing for trial. With decades of combined experience and hundreds of trials, we approach each case strategically and aggressively. Whether pursuing dismissal, reduced charges, or a favorable trial outcome, we build a defense focused on protecting your rights, freedom, and future.
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1Laying the GroundworkWe prepare before the fight begins. Decades of experience, deep legal knowledge, and strong relationships with prosecutors and judges give us the foundation to build a smarter, more targeted defense.
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2Discussing The DetailsEvery detail matters. We dig deep into your case, examining reports, records, evidence, and your side of the story to uncover the facts that can shape your defense.
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3Building Your CaseWe challenge what the prosecution thinks it knows. We scrutinize the evidence, investigate police procedures, expose weaknesses, and develop a defense strategy built specifically for your case.
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4Obtaining Positive ResultsWe pursue the outcome that puts you in the strongest position. Whether through aggressive negotiation or a meticulously prepared trial defense, we fight to reduce charges, protect your future, and achieve the best result possible.