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Trials: |
Civil Trials are cases in which a corporation
or individual files a lawsuit against another corporation or
individual requesting the court award monetary damages. Tell
me more... |
Arbitration: |
Arbitration is a method to resolve
disputes between parties using a neutral third-party to decide
the matter. If your matter is arbitrated, the decision of the
arbitrator is non-binding. Tell
me more... |
Pre-Trial Conference: |
If the Defendant(s) answers the Complaint, the
case will be scheduled for a pre-trial conference. At the conference,
the parties will meet with a judicial officer in an attempt
to narrow the issues, determine the number of witnesses to be
called, the length of the trial, and to discuss the possiblity
of settlement. Tell me more... |
Filing a Civil Motion: |
A motion is a petition for some type of relief, or some action, you ask the Court to grant you; it also may be a request for the Court to take notice of certain facts. Tell
me more...
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Your Court Hearing: |
Learn what a court hearing is, tips on how to prepare for a court hearing and how to present your case at the court hearing. Tell me more... |
Appeals: |
An appeal is a review by a higher court of what happened
in the court below to determine whether any mistakes occurred
and, if so, whether the party who filed the appeal is entitled
to have the decision of the court below reversed.
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Justice of the Peace Court appeals
to the Court of Common Pleas. Tell
me more... |
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Administrative Appeals from the Department
of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles to the Court
of Common Pleas. Tell
me more... |
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References: |
Glossary of Terms |
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Arraignment: |
An arraignment is
the defendant's initial appearance before the Court. At the
arraignment, the defendant will be informed of the charges against
him/her. The defendant or his/her attorney will be given a copy
of the Information with the charges set forth on it as filed
by the Attorney General of the State, and will be advised of
the right to a trial by a judge or by jury. Tell
me more...
Prior Plea Agreement.
Complete this form to enter a NOT GUILTY plea to the charge(s) without appearing in Court for arraignment. |
Misdemeanor Trial: |
The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction
over misdemeanor offenses generally punishable by a fine and/or
a jail term. At trial, the prosecution, or Deputy Attorney General
on behalf of the State, will call witnesses and introduce evidence
to try to prove that the defendant is guilty of the crime with
which he/she is charged. Tell
me more... |
Non-Jury Trial: |
At a non-jury trial, the Judge decides
questions of fact and questions of law. Tell
me more... |
Jury Trial: |
In a jury trial, the Judge decides
questions of law, and the jury decides questions of fact (whether
the defendant is guilty or not guilty on each of the offenses
charged.) The trial begins with jury selection. A potential
pool of jurors is summoned to court on the morning of trial.
The Court of Common Pleas selects jurors from a pool of jurors
summoned by the Superior Court. Tell
me more... |
Preliminary Hearing: |
The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction
to hear preliminary hearings in felony matters to determine
whether a defendant should be "bound over" for trial. This means
that the judicial officer must believe there is sufficient evidence.
A defendant may choose to have a preliminary hearing or to waive
it (give up the right to have the hearing.) If the defendant
wants a hearing, the State must present evidence to the Court
to establish that sufficient "probable cause" exists to hold
the defendant for trial. To establish probable cause, the Court
must have a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed
and that the defendant committed the offense. |
Grand Jury: |
If the defendant is "bound over" for
trial, it is sent to the Grand Jury to decide whether to issue
an indictment (written accusations of a crime(s) against the
defendant). If the Grand Jury indicts the defendant, the case
is then sent to Superior Court for an arraignment and trial. |
Sentencing: |
If the defendant enters a plea of guilty
or is found guilty, the judicial officer determines the penalty
or sentence to be imposed. The judicial officer may decide to
immediately sentence the defendant, or may schedule the sentencing
for another day after ordering a Presentence Report. Tell
me more... |
Your Court Hearing: |
Learn what a court hearing is,
tips on how to prepare for a court hearing and how to present
your case at the court hearing. Tell
me more... |
References: |
Glossary
of Terms |
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