A criminal case can be resolved by plea, trial or dismissal. Statistically, most cases are resolved with a negotiated plea agreement. This plea agreement is finalized in front of a judge at a plea hearing.
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Be On Time:  Make sure you show up early to the courthouse. When the attorney arrives at the courthouse they will begin negotiations with the prosecutor or solicitor to hopefully receive a favorable outcome for your case.
Pleading Guilty or Not Guilty: At the plea hearing, you will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you enter a plea of not guilty your attorney will then begin preparing your case for trial. This may include investigation, research, further negotiations, continuing your case until a later date, and/or a motion to suppress.
Pleading Guilty:  If you enter a guilty plea, it will be entered in front of a judge. He or she will go over the rights you give up by entering a guilty plea. Some of the rights you give up include the right to a jury trial, the right to cross-examine witnesses, subpoena witnesses, and the right to have the State prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After you plead guilty, the judge will impose a sentence which may include a fine, probation, community service, and/or jail time.
At a plea hearing, the defendant will be entering into a guilty or no contest plea to the charges against them.
Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, Anne Bishop, welcomes questions on Criminal Defense and Georgia DUI laws. Please Call or Email us about any questions you may have about GA DUI laws in Georgia and please remember your initial consultation is free of charge.
At A. Bishop Law, our Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney welcomes questions on Criminal Defense laws, Traffic Laws and Georgia DUI laws. Please Call or Email us with any questions.
About the attorney:  Anne Bishop is a Georgia Lawyer with A. Bishop Law in Gainesville, Georgia and handles various DUI / DWI, Marijuana Arrests and other Georgia Criminal Defense matters.  The law office of A. Bishop Law can assist clients throughout Georgia including: Hall County (Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch), Jackson County  (Jefferson, Braselton) White County (Helen, Cleveland), Lumpkin County (Dahlonega), Dawson County (Dawsonville), Habersham County (Demorest, Cornelia), and all of Northeast Georgia.
This article and/or video should not be considered nor relied upon as legal advice since it is only intended for general overview and informational purposes. Please consult with an attorney on your specific situation in order to determine an appropriate legal course of action.