What's the difference between a pre-trial and a trial?

Question

What is the difference between a pretrial and a trial? My hubby is being charged with 5 things, and they set a pre-trial date. What should we expect?

Answer 1

PRETRIAL - A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement of the case.

--and in the trial they actually disect the case, and make the decision on the facts given in the case.

Answer 2

Pretrial can mean a couple of things. Typically, a pre-trial is a conference with a judge where the agenda for the trial is set. This usually involves the lawyers discussing with the judge issues like which witnesses will be called to testify, as well as any problems with the evidence that might be used during the trial. Sometimes these pretrial conferences result in a full-blown hearing before the judge to argue whether a piece of evidence can be used in a trial. A good judge is able to hold those "objections" you always see on TV made during a trial to a minimum because issues about the evidence were resolved prior to the trial beginning.

Answer 3

what everyone has said is about right. but also remember that the pretrial is primarily giving the prosecutor and defense attorney an opportunity to resolve the case, short of going to bench trial or jury trial. in my experience, it's where each find out how strong or weak the other's case is. and trust me, neither attorney wants to take a weak case to trial. that's why most cases settle prior to trial.

Answer 4

A Pre Trail is when all parties try to solve or address issues that can be resolved before the trial. In some cases it's also for jury selections.

Answer 5

a pre-trial is like a trial, but the judge does not give the sentence yet to the person who broke the rule. I took mock trial as a club through school.

Answer 6

Pre-trial means anything before the actual trial.

There are various types of pre-trial hearings: status conferences, motion hearings (addressing motions filed by either side), evidentiary hearings (determining what evidence is admissible), preliminary hearings (resolving procedural matters), and so on. Each is different, and involves different activity.

Answer 7

A pretrial is sort of a fishing expedition, and the trial is actually catching the fish.

Answer 8

Diversion is usually something offered in lieu of a criminal conviction. Usually it requires that you take a class or something and if you complete the diversion, they might dismiss it entirely or lower the charge (depending on the agreement with the court). Probation is usually a sentence handed down in lieu of prison after a criminal trial. Both can be revoked if you don't comply with the terms.

Answer 9

Is the pre trial open to the public?