What this resource is about

This resource tells you what will happen before your trial and what will happen at your trial.

Before your trial explains:

• how to get the information that you’ll need for your trial,
• who the people in the courtroom are and what they do, and
• the court procedures that will take place before your trial (your first appearance and arraignment hearing).

See Checklist: Before your trial to make sure that you’re ready for trial. See Appendix 1 for a chart to help you understand the court procedures that will take place before your trial.

At your trial explains:

• the seven steps in every criminal trial, and
• what you need to do during your trial.

See Checklist: At your trial to make sure that you do everything you need to do at your trial. Also use this checklist to see whether the prosecutor has proven all the necessary parts of the charge against you.

See Appendix 2 for a chart to help you understand the steps that will happen during your trial.