how many times can my lawyer continue my criminal trial?

How long do most criminal cases last?

It is not uncommon for felony cases to go on for months or even years in some cases, depending on the complexity or the number of defendants. The bottom line is, anyone charged with a felony should expect their case to take at least several months, and often more than that.

Why do most cases never go to trial?

It's no secret that the overwhelming majority of criminal cases never reach trial. The prosecution may dismiss charges, perhaps because of a lack of evidence. Sometimes prosecutors decide not to refile charges after a felony defendant prevails at the preliminary hearing.

Why do prosecutors sometimes choose not to prosecute criminal cases?

Prosecutors may decline to press charges because they think it unlikely that a conviction will result. No matter what the prosecutor's personal feelings about the case, the prosecutor needs legally admissible evidence sufficient to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Is it better to go to trial?

Going to trial also has several advantages. For example, going to trial buys the criminal defendant more time to prepare his or her defense and spend time with family before potentially going to jail. Going to trial and receiving an acquittal is the only way for an innocent person to have justice.

What percentage of defendants are found guilty?

90 percentAbout 90 percent of the federal defendants and 75 percent of the defendants in the most populous counties were found guilty -- regardless of whether their attorneys were private or public defenders.

Can a prosecutor drop a case?

While it might not hurt to let the prosecutor know how you feel, the prosecutor cannot dismiss the charges without additional justification. A prosecutor can only drop charges with the approval of the judge. The judge will require more than the victim's wishes to allow the prosecutor to dismiss criminal charges.

What is one reason prosecutors may decide to dismiss cases?

After charges are filed, prosecutors and sometimes courts may dismiss such charges for some of the same reasons that charges are dropped before being filed. Evidence may be poor, witnesses may be unavailable or illegal tactics may have been used to gather evidence or make arrests.

Does the prosecutor represent the victim?

While prosecutors work with many law enforcement officials, with the victims, and with witnesses, the prosecutor does not represent any of those people. The prosecutor represents the community as a whole – not anyone on an individual basis.