Justice does not move quickly. If you are accused of a crime and facing a trial, the process can take weeks, months, or longer. Understanding the timeline of a Colorado criminal case could be key to knowing what to expect for your future.
At Troxell Law, we are happy to offer a full consultation with you to discuss your case. This will allow our criminal defense attorneys in Colorado to better understand the complications you are facing.
What to Expect in a Colorado Criminal Case
The first step in the criminal court process is arrest, which then leads to booking, a bail hearing, and an indictment. There are several additional steps after this, including an advisement, arraignment, and a preliminary hearing. That usually happens in a district court. There are then additional steps, including a pretrial conference, numerous motions by all parties, and the disposition hearing. In some situations, your case will then go to a jury trial, where an outcome is determined. Finally, if convicted, the sentencing occurs in the case.
This process can take weeks to months. Most often, it takes several months from the arrest to the sentencing, though it may take as long as several years to go through the process. This could be due to the research involved, the district court delays, as well as factors such as the motions that are held. While the goal is to move a case through as quickly as possible, that does not often occur.
Going to a Jury Trial
In situations where your case goes to a jury trial, you can expect the timeline to be further extended. This means that both parties will need time to develop a case, witnesses must be readied, and the jury must be selected. There is often some time added to this if there are delays with the jury or the selection process is complicated if a juror has to leave the trial. Deliberations, in most cases, only take hours, not weeks, as they can seem on television. Yet, that, too, can extend the timeline for your criminal case.
Most of the time, you can expect the trial process to take a few days. Some more in-depth and more elaborate cases may take several weeks or months to complete. This depends on the type of case and the amount of work the defense and the prosecutor must do to prove their case.
What to Expect in Your Criminal Case: Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Your Needs
The timeline for a Colorado criminal case can be confusing and long. At Troxell Law, you have an advocate by your side to help you throughout the process. Contact our criminal defense attorney in Colorado now to discuss your case during a consultation. This will give us some time to provide insight to you about what you can expect.
Meet with an attorney you can trust when you contact us. Call our office now to let our criminal defense attorneys start providing you with the support you need.