Pretrial Arraignment: Court hearing when a defendant pleads guilty or not guilty, after a preliminary hearing. Witnesses do not have to testify.
Bond: Money or property that is promised or given to the court to make sure that a defendant will come back to court after being released from jail.
Continuance: When the court delays a hearing.
Defendant: A person who is accused of committing a crime.
Disposition: The resolution of a case.
Motions Hearing: A hearing where the judge decides what evidence will or will not be allowed at trial.
No Contact: A condition of bond that means a defendant cannot have contact with a victim by phone, letter, through a third party or in person.
Plea Agreement: A defendant pleads guilty in return for a certain sentence recommendation or agrees to plead guilty to a different offense.
Preliminary Hearing: A hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial. This is the first hearing when witnesses may have to testify.
Pretrial Conference: A meeting between the County Attorney and the defendant and his attorney to discuss possible pleas (i.e. plea bargaining).