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Difference between revisions of "I've Been Charged with a Criminal (or Youth) Offence and Have to Go to Court"
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I've Been Charged with a Criminal (or Youth) Offence and Have to Go to Court (view source)
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== What happens next == | == What happens next == | ||
Once you have decided how you <span class="noglossary">will</span> plead (guilty or not guilty), you or your lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> have to tell the judge. If you plead guilty, you <span class="noglossary">will</span> probably be sentenced right away. If you plead not guilty, the court <span class="noglossary">will</span> hold an ''arraignment hearing'' and ask both the prosecutor and you or your lawyer how long the trial <span class="noglossary">will</span> take. Then you <span class="noglossary">will</span> have to set a date for the trial. Before the trial, you or your lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> probably have to appear at a ''trial confirmation hearing''. (The process is more complicated for | Once you have decided how you <span class="noglossary">will</span> plead (guilty or not guilty), you or your lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> have to tell the judge. If you plead guilty, you <span class="noglossary">will</span> probably be sentenced right away. If you plead not guilty, the court <span class="noglossary">will</span> hold an ''arraignment hearing'' and ask both the prosecutor and you or your lawyer how long the trial <span class="noglossary">will</span> take. Then you <span class="noglossary">will</span> have to set a date for the trial. Before the trial, you or your lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> probably have to appear at a ''trial confirmation hearing''. (The process is more complicated for ''indictable charges'' such as aggravated assault or breaking and entering a dwelling; indictable offences are considered more serious than ''summary'' offences.) | ||
At trial, the Crown <span class="noglossary">will</span> call witnesses that you or your lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> be able to cross-examine. You can then call witnesses (possibly including yourself) if you wish. After all of the witnesses have testified, you can summarize your position and the facts and law which support it. At the end of the trial, the judge <span class="noglossary">will</span> either find you guilty or not guilty. If you are found guilty, the judge <span class="noglossary">will</span> sentence you. The sentencing usually happens right away, but may be delayed to another date in more serious or complicated cases. | At trial, the Crown <span class="noglossary">will</span> call witnesses that you or your lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> be able to cross-examine. You can then call witnesses (possibly including yourself) if you wish. After all of the witnesses have testified, you can summarize your position and the facts and law which support it. At the end of the trial, the judge <span class="noglossary">will</span> either find you guilty or not guilty. If you are found guilty, the judge <span class="noglossary">will</span> sentence you. The sentencing usually happens right away, but may be delayed to another date in more serious or complicated cases. | ||
