FAQS About What Might Happen in Criminal Court

If you are currently facing criminal charges in Indiana, it is likely that you are anxiously awaiting your trial hearing. And just like many others in your position, you have questions and concerns about the state and federal criminal court process, as well as the potential outcomes you face. To give you some peace of mind, continue reading to learn some answers to the most frequently asked questions about criminal court and the possible outcomes. This may relieve your anxiety while awaiting your court date.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers 317-636-7514
Indianapolis Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers 317-636-7514

Frequently Asked Questions About Trial

What Will Happen if I Miss My Court Date?

Missing your court date is a serious offense. Not only does it impede your current case, it tacks on a separate criminal charge that comes with additional penalties. In rare cases, a criminal attorney can waive the penalties for a missed court date if there is sufficient evidence that the client had no choice (i.e. emergency hospital stay, serious accident, etc.) A death in the family, work, and other similar life occurrences are not acceptable excuses to the court.

What are the Possible Outcomes in Criminal Court?

Because there are so many different types of charges, the outcomes vary greatly. It all depends on a defendant’s charges, criminal history, the state, and many other factors. Some common outcomes include guilty verdict, not guilty verdict, charges dropped, charges dismissed, charges reduced, mistrials, and more.

What Will Happen if I Plead Guilty?

You should only plead guilty if it is recommended by your criminal lawyer for the purpose of a plea bargain with the state prosecutor. Pleading guilty will mean you admit to committing the crime, understand the charges and the guilty plea, and waive your right to trial jury. Upon pleading guilty, you can expect to have a sentencing hearing scheduled with a few weeks or months. During your sentencing hearing, the judge will hand down your sentence, penalties, and court orders.

What Will Happen if I am Found Not Guilty?

You will have it on your record that you were charged with the crime, but never convicted. However, you may be able to have the charged expunged from your criminal record. Upon being found not guilty, you will be released from custody and court supervision, and you cannot be convicted of the same crime later on.

What Will Happen if I Plead No Contest?

Pleading no contest is not allowed in all states. When defendants enter a no contest plea, or nolo contender, it means they are not admitting guilt to the crime in question, but they surrender to the court’s punishment. Although the defendant does not admit guilt, they are still sentenced as if they are guilty.

What Happens After a Mistrial?

The defense lawyer or prosecutor can motion the court for a mistral for several reasons, including juror misconduct, inability to reach a verdict, law enforcement errors, and more. If granted, prosecution can sometimes retry the case. But most often, it puts defendants in a double-jeopardy situation, so it is not retried.

What Happens if All Charges are Dropped?

If your charges are dropped, you will not go to trial. The prosecutor drops charges for several reasons, including inadmissible evidence, lack of evidence, uncooperative victims, and more. Although your criminal record won’t show an actual conviction, it will show that you were once charged with the crime. In this case, you may qualify to have it expunged from your record.

How Do I Avoid the Maximum Sentence for My Indiana Criminal Charges?

Call the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with aggressive Indiana criminal defense attorney who will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your Indiana criminal charges.