The disclosure of information among the prosecution and defense; it is primarily used to prevent one side from introducing unexpected evidence at trial.
Brief hearings prior to trial at which defendants enter a plea, and where pretrial motions may be offered.
Informal negotiations between the prosecution and defense that often results in the defendant admitting guilt in exchange for a lenient sentence.
A type of evidence that prosecutors discover during an investigation that is favorable to the defense and must be shared with the defense.
A form of pretrial release that involves the setting of a bail amount, although no monetary payment is required for release.
Abbreviated trials, sometimes called âbind over hearings,â which primarily consist of the prosecution presenting evidence of a crime before a judge to determine if the case should proceed.
They gather and share with the court information about defendants, particularly with regard to their level of risk upon being released.