It’s impossible to predict how your criminal case will end, but there are a handful of different results that you should be prepared for. Here are the possible outcomes of a criminal court case:
Dropped Charges
Before the trial begins, the prosecutor may decide to drop the charges against you for a number of reasons. For example, the victim of the crime may refuse to participate in the case or the prosecutor may realize that the evidence is too weak to win a conviction in court. Regardless of the reason, if your charges are dropped, you will be free to go and will not face any consequences.
Guilty Plea
You will be required to enter a plea prior to the trial. It may be appropriate to plead guilty under certain circumstances, for example if you are accepting a plea deal. If you choose to plead guilty, then the next step is finding out the consequences that you will face for committing the crime.
Trial Verdict
If you do not plead guilty, the case will go to trial. Both the prosecutor and your defense attorney will have an opportunity to present opening statements, question witnesses, introduce evidence to the court, and make closing arguments. At the end of the trial, the jury will be asked to decide whether you are guilty or not guilty.
When a trial ends with a guilty verdict, the defendant will then have to attend a sentencing hearing. During this hearing, the judge will review the crime you committed, your prior record, and a number of other factors. You may be sentenced to pay fines, complete community service, or spend time behind bars.
A trial could also end with a not guilty verdict. If this happens, you will be immediately released from custody.
Mistrial
A criminal court case can also end in a mistrial, which means the trial has been rendered invalid. This can occur for a number of reasons, including juror misconduct, the jury’s inability to unanimously agree on a verdict, or errors that violates the defendant’s right to a fair trial. If the judge declares a mistrial, the prosecution can either try the case again starting from the very beginning with a new jury or drop the case against the defendant.
At Reisch Law Firm, we are committed to helping defendants reach the best possible outcome in their criminal cases. Our criminal defense attorneys will fight tirelessly to protect your freedom and your future. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
