Preparing for Your First Criminal Court Appearance

November 18, 2021 Posted in Felonies

The thought of going to criminal court can be nerve-wracking. The criminal offense that you are accused of committing can could change your life forever. However, the way that you present yourself in court is one of the factors that will determine the outcome of your case. You can do the following to prepare yourself for court.

Steps You Should Take  Before and During the Court Appearance

Hire a Lawyer

You don’t want to fight your case on your own. You need a criminal lawyer who can fight for you. One of the keys to getting the most out of working with an attorney is to be open and honest with them. Tell them all of the important details about your case. You will also need to let them know if you have been accused of crimes in the past.

If you have made statements to the police, then you should let your attorney know exactly what you told them. Additionally, if there was a victim involved, then you need to tell your attorney the relationship that you had with them.

Discuss Plea Options

The prosecution may offer a plea deal before the trial. The purpose of the plea deal is to get you to plead guilty so that you can possibly get off with a lighter charge. You should not accept a plea deal without talking to your criminal defense attorney first. Your attorney will tell you whether a plea deal is the best option for you to take.

Show Up to Court on Time

You will automatically start your day in court off wrong if you show up to court late. That is why you need to make sure that you are there on time. You waste other people’s time when you show up late and you may alienate the judge. You should make plans to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled court date.

Stay Out of Trouble Before Your Court Date

What you do before you go to court can affect the outcome of your case. You don’t want to post anything about your case on social media. In fact, you do not want to talk about the case at all. You should also avoid tampering with the evidence.

Dress Appropriately

A courtroom is a serious place. That is why it is important for you to dress for the occasion. If you are a man, then you should wear a nice suit and tie. Women should wear a nice skirt and shirt.

Be Polite

You should treat everyone in the court with the utmost respect. If you disrespect someone, then this can be used against you. Make sure that you turn your cell phone off. Additionally, you should not speak out of turn.

If you are in need of an Arizona criminal attorney, call the Law Offices of Gary L Rohlwing. Our attorney will review your case and determine the best way to move forward. Your attorney’s goal is to help you get a fair trial so that you can move on with your life.