Stamford DUI Trial Date Process
A case might go to trial if the defendant strongly believes that they did not do anything wrong and that they will exercise his constitutional right to go to trial. Stamford Superior Court on Hoyt Street holds all kinds of cases, from traffic infractions, DUIs, all the way up to murders. If you are facing a Stamford DUI trial date, it may be critical to contact a distinguished drunk driving attorney.
Expectations for Trial
Jury selection takes place on the first . The defendant, through their attorney, the prosecutor, and the judge, will question each juror individually in a room. The first few days of trial are picking a jury. On the first day of evidence, an individual can expect the prosecutor to call its first witness to begin presenting their case. In a DUI case, the first witness is likely the arresting officer.
Likelihood of Resolving Cases Before Trial
Cases can be resolved before a Stamford DUI trial date if the prosecutor decides to drop the case. This can happen if the prosecutor can see that the individual does not have enough evidence to go forward or if that case is not so serious that the defendant needs to be prosecuted. Resolutions can also occur if the defendant is getting treatment or decides to plead guilty.
What is a Stamford DUI Trial Date Process?
The main steps in a trial process are picking a jury, then producing evidence which begins with opening statements in most courts. In Connecticut criminal cases, they typically do not allow opening statements.
The prosecution calls its witnesses and each witness, in turn, is cross-examined by the defense. When the prosecution is done, then the defense calls their witnesses and all of their witnesses are cross-examined by the prosecution. Then each side gives a closing statement and the jury returns a verdict.
Types of Evidence in a Government’s Case
The prosecutor presents the government’s case against the driver. They represent the government in Connecticut. Depending on which prosecutor is assigned to an individual’s case, that is typically who will present the evidence.
The government typically presents the arresting officer who will tell the jury what they saw that day. Any witness statements obtained will be presented to the officer. They will often present an expert who can lay the foundation to admit the breathalyzer tests into evidence as well, if such tests were taken.
How to Prepare for Trial
The first thing a person should do when they arrive at the courthouse on the day of trial is find their attorney then proceed to the appropriate courtroom. It can be the jury selection room or the trial room.
It is very important to let an attorney know all the facts throughout the whole case, especially when it comes time for a Stamford DUI trial date. An individual should work with his attorney to make sure that all the questions and testimony are accurate, that they know any inaccuracies that may have been on the police report, and things like that. It is very important to look respectable and to be cooperative with the court.
Role of the Defense While Prosecution Presents
The defense does not have to put on a case, but need to have their own witnesses to rebut the things that the government’s witnesses say. The defense listens intently to the witness, the questions and the answers, and they object when necessary in order to make sure that all the answers and questions are proper under the rules of evidence. The defense will get a chance to cross-examine all the witnesses in order to poke holes in their story and challenge their ability to testify.
What Kind of Evidence is Used?
The defense often use evidence showing that the police made mistakes in their reports, or in what they said, to try and show that they are unreliable and they should not be believed. They can present medical evidence, witnesses, and the defendant’s own testimony.
What the Prosecution Does During the Defense Presentation
The government will object to improper questions and answers from defense witnesses, and after the defense is finished questioning their own witness, the government will cross-examine that witness to poke holes in their story and show the jury that they should not be believed.
Understanding Closing Statements
A closing statement is an opportunity for the attorneys on both sides to summarize all the evidence that was presented at trial and to make an argument based on that evidence. For instance, the prosecutor would say that the defendant smelled like alcohol and failed the field sobriety test, implying intoxication.
The defense can do the same thing by saying that there is more to the story and whatever the prosecutor said does not necessarily mean somebody was drunk. The prosecutor will give his closing statement first. Then the defense will give his closing argument. The prosecutor then has a second chance to rebut whatever the defense said.
Understanding the Role of Superior Court Judges
Superior Court Judges are nominated by the governor and confirmed. They have to be re-confirmed every seven years. Right now they are nominated by Governor Malloy. The Stamford Superior Court Judges treat DUI charges very seriously. They are members of the community as well and consider someone who is driving drunk to be a danger to families that are on the road, coming to and from work and school, coming to and from practice. They are very protective of innocent family members who are at risk of being hit by a drunk driver.
Role of a Jury
At a jury trial, it is the juror’s job to decide what the facts are. When jury is sitting in the court and paying attention to every little detail of the trial. It is very important to be respectful, to not make faces, and to look presentable but not too flashy. When an individual does take the stand during a Stamford DUI trial date, they should speak with confidence and not come off as evasive.
The defendant is not allowed to question the jurors during the Stamford DUI trial date. However, the defendant has the right to sit there and to confer with their attorney. If the defendant is representing themselves, they can question jurors directly.