How to Prepare for a Criminal Trial in Alabama: A Guide for Defendants
When facing a criminal trial in Alabama, you may appear before a jury or a judge, also known as a bench trial.
As a defendant, you have rights that need to be preserved, whether facing a felony, a misdemeanor, or an infraction, the three types of criminal charges in Alabama.
Mobile Alabama criminal defense attorney Jason Darley will protect those rights and challenge any unprofessional conduct by law enforcement or the lawyers for the other side used to have you arrested.
Attorney Darley’s trial preparation may make the difference between incarceration and freedom.
A Criminal Trial in Alabama
In Alabama, a criminal trial takes place in federal or state court. A federal trial is reserved for violations of the U.S. Constitution and federal law, including treason, cybercrime, white-collar crime, civil rights violations, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, maritime law, and violent crime.
Federal courts are known as district courts. There are 67 district courts in Alabama.
The court you are tried in depends on the number of previous convictions.
- Felony – These are more serious crimes that can be punished by prison or the death penalty. Either an A, B, or C felony, Class A is the most serious involving arson, rape, or murder. Class B involves first-degree assault and robbery. Class C can include stalking, interfering with custody issues, and criminally negligent homicide.
- Misdemeanors—These are Punishable by a year or less in county jail and may involve fines. The most serious misdemeanors are theft, domestic violence, and assault. Class B involves cruelty to animals and resisting arrest.
- Infraction – In Alabama, an infraction is a minor crime, often traffic-related, that can land you in jail for 30 days or less. Traffic-related issues may include driving with a suspended or no license, failing to stop at a red light, making an illegal U-turn, third-degree criminal trespass, failure to use a child restraint, and improper passing.
How to Prepare for an Alabama Criminal Trial
If you are accused of a crime in Alabama, an arrest warrant or summons will be issued. After your arrest, you appear for an arraignment hearing in municipal court, where you will be formally charged. Then, you enter a guilty, not guilty, or no contest plea to the charges.
With the help of Mobile criminal defense attorney Jason Darley, you can move through these steps of the criminal process with the confidence that comes with knowledge.
Mr. Darley will advise you that the standard of proof in a criminal trial is that jurors must believe in the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” That is a high bar for evidence to reach.
In a civil case, where money is the remedy, the standard for proof is “by the preponderance of the evidence,” a much lower bar to achieve.
Prepare for a Court Appearance
With Mr. Darley’s help, you will gather documents relevant to your case. Among those documents are the police report, expert statements, witness testimony, and other evidence to help build a strong defense.
You may need to be prepared for questioning in the courtroom by the judge or the attorney for the other side. You must appear confident and comfortable with your answers, and Mr. Darley can prepare you.
Your first appearance will likely be procedural. Charges are stated, and you will have an opportunity to enter your plea. Bail may be set at that time, as will upcoming court dates.
Trials consist of:
- An opening statement made by the prosecutor
- An opening statement made by the defendant
- Direct examination by either the prosecutor or the plaintiff
- Cross-examination by the defense
- Motions
- Direct examination by the defense
- Cross-exam by prosecutor
- Closing statement delivered by both sides.
- The judge instructs the jury what law they are to consider
- The jury issues a verdict
In the case of a bench trial, the judge listens to both sides and renders a judgment.
Your Mobile Criminal Defense Attorney
Mr. Darley reminds you that you have a right to legal representation and the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you. Attorney Jason Darley will help best prepare you for the motions ahead.
Mr. Darley will continue to build the best defense to support a defense that allows you to return to your previous life as soon as possible. The next step is to call his Mobile office at 251-441-7772 so you can come up with a plan.