What is a pre-trial conference?

A pre-trial conference is a meeting between a defendant, their lawyer, and the judge or prosecutor in a criminal court case. The purpose of the conference is for the judge or prosecutor to let the defendant know the charges being brought against them and to give them the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. At the pre-trial conference, the defendant and their lawyer will typically discuss the case with the prosecutor. The prosecutor may offer a plea deal, which is when the defendant agrees to plead guilty and accept a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. Depending on the case, a plea deal might also involve giving up certain rights such as the right to a trial by jury. The pre-trial conference is also an opportunity for the defendant to discuss any requests they might have with the judge, such as asking to have their defendant will appear in court when required.">bail reduced or requesting a change of venue to a different jurisdiction. The judge will then decide if the requests are feasible. The final part of the pre-trial conference involves the judge setting a court date. The court date is when the defendant will have their first court appearance, which is where the judge will then decide if the case will proceed to trial or if a plea deal is accepted.

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