What is a pretrial for a felony?

A pretrial for a felony is a court proceeding that occurs before the actual trial of the case. During the pretrial, the prosecutor and defense attorney will have the opportunity to discuss the case, negotiate potential plea deals, and address any preliminary issues that may need to be resolved before the trial.

At the pretrial, the judge may also set deadlines for the parties to exchange evidence, identify potential witnesses, and file any necessary motions. The judge may also address any pending motions, such as motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the case.

Additionally, the defendant may have the opportunity to enter a plea during the pretrial. This could include a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If a plea agreement is reached during the pretrial, the case may be resolved without the need for a trial.

Overall, the purpose of a pretrial for a felony is to streamline the trial process, address any preliminary issues, and potentially reach a resolution before the case goes to trial.