What is the Process?
 

Stage What happens What we do
Investigation Police Department investigates to develop evidence against you. Act as a liaison between you and the Police Departments; try to prevent you from incriminating yourself; collect evidence for you.
Formal Charge Prosecutor files an indictment, a complaint, or information with a court. Explain to the prosecutor or the grand jury why formal charges are not appropriate for your case. Try to prevent an indictment against you.
Bail Judge decides whether to set bail, and how much bail to set. Get reasonable bail set; assist you in making bail and getting you released.
Pretrial Proceedings Prepare for trial. Investigate all of the facts of the case and the applicable law. Speak to your witnesses. File motions and briefs on your behalf. If appropriate, try to negotiate a plea bargain agreement.
Trial Present case to a jury. Try to keep the government from proving its case against you, and present any evidence that might suggest that you are not guilty.
Sentencing Jury decides what the punishment should be. Try to minimize punishment levied against you. Present any mitigating evidence.
Appeal Court of Appeals will decide if trial judge made mistakes in trial. We will try to win a new trial or a judgment of acquittal.