What is an Initial Pretrial Conference in Scottsdale, AZ?

After you have been arrested for a criminal offense what is known as a booking will take place. A booking is a process of recording your identification, and a background check is performed to check for pre-existing warrants. From there the initial bail part takes place proceeded by the first stage of the courtroom process which is called an arraignment. An arraignment is a formal reading of the charges against you from a criminal judge.

Felony criminal offenses and punishment

• Class 6 felony - Class 6 felony carries a maximum punishment of 2 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation and a $150,000 fine and surcharges. Class 6 felonies can include charges such as possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, aggravated DUI, theft and possession of marijuana.
   
• Class 5 felony - A class 5 felony offense carries a maximum punishment of 2.5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation and a $150,000 fine and surcharges. Some examples of class 5 felony offenses include theft of a credit card, unlawful flight from law enforcement, criminal damage, theft and aggravated assault on a police officer.
   
• Class 4 felony - A class 4 felony is punishable by a maximum punishment is 3.75 years in prison, 4 years of probation and a fine of $150,000 plus surcharges. Class 4 felony offenses include aggravated DUI, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons, forgery, identity theft and burglary.
   
• Class 3 felony - A class 3 felony offense is punishable by up to 8.75 years in prison, 5 years of probation and a $150,000 and surcharges. Examples of class 3 felony offenses include theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of marijuana for sale, theft, burglary, aggravated robbery and trafficking stolen property.
   
• Class 2 felony - A class 2 felony offense is punishable by up to 12.5 years in prison, 7 years of probation and a fine of $150,000 plus surcharges. Class 2 felony offenses include possession of narcotic drugs for sale, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, manslaughter, aggravated assault, sexual assault, child prostitution, armed robbery, assisting a criminal street gang, burglary, discharging a firearm, theft and fraudulent schemes.
   
• Class 1 felony - A class 1 felony offense is the most serious crime a person can be charged with and is reserved for murder charges only. A class 1 felony carries a minimum of 25 years to life and has a maximum penalty of the death penalty.

After an arraignment, your case is set for an Initial Pre-Trial Conference (IPTC) in Superior Court. At the Initial Pre-Trial Conference, the trial date is typically set. The IPTC is usually when the prosecutor makes the first plea offer. At this hearing, the judge will check on the status of negotiations, investigations, and witness interviews.

At the IPTC the defendant will do very little talking, and he/she will only say his/her name. The lawyer will do the rest. The IPTC is typically a very short hearing in the morning with about twenty other individuals who are all set for the same kind of hearing at the same time.

In municipal and justice courts a Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) is prearranged after the arraignment. These hearing are less formal than the Initial Pre-Trial Conference in Superior Court. At the Pre-Trial Conference, a plea offer is usually made. At the PTC it is rare for the defendant to appear before the judge unless a plea offer is entered into.

If your case is set for an Initial Pre-Trial Conference (IPTC) or a Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) in an Arizona court, do not go alone. Contact Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney Aaron Black or call 480-729-1683 for guidance, counseling, and a ferocious defense.