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What to Expect at a Criminal Trial

Law Offices of Thomas R. Cox III  Dec. 2, 2022

Enduring a criminal trial is a very difficult thing to do, especially if you have never been charged with a crime before. At the Law Offices of Thomas R. Cox III, criminal defense attorney Tom Cox is here to lead you through your case and fight for the best outcome possible. If you have been arrested in Dallas, Texas, or the surrounding areas of Irving, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, and University Park contact Tom today and schedule a no-cost case evaluation. 

The Criminal Trial Process 

Trial is overwhelming, and the process includes specific steps that one goes through, from the first arrest to the final judgement. While your first step should be to contact an attorney, no matter where you are in the process, don’t face these steps without the support of a criminal defense lawyer.   

Pre-Trial Steps 

  • Arrest – When being charged with a crime, law enforcement officers will arrest you. They will then take you to their station and book you. After the booking process, you will be kept in police custody. Remember, you DO NOT have to say anything to the police officers, nor should you. Instead, hire a Dallas, Texas-based criminal defense attorney immediately. 

  • Bond – The Law Offices of Thomas R. Cox III provide a unique service that most law firms don’t. If you are granted bail, Attorney Tom Cox will pay for your bond and represent you. He understands the amount of stress you are under and wants to save you time and money. Other law firms will rarely even consider this. 

  • Plea – Before a trial is decided, the prosecutors may try to offer you a plea deal to avoid a trial. Regardless, you will enter a plea of either “Not Guilty,” “Guilty,” or “No Contest.” If you enter either of the last two, there will be no trial. 

Trial 

Once the pretrial stage is over, it’s time to go to trial. Having an attorney by your side gives you the best opportunity possible by the end of the final decision. In trial, these are the steps included: 

  • Voir Dire/Jury Selection – If you choose to go to trial and select a jury trial, you will have to go through the process of “voir dire” also known as jury selection. Here, your criminal defense attorney will attempt to build a jury that can be empathetic toward your situation and will return a favorable verdict. 

  • Opening Statements – Both the prosecutors and your criminal defense attorney will give the jury a broad overview of their cases and the process of the entire trial. 

  • Prosecution Presents Evidence and Witnesses – The prosecution has the burden of proving that you are guilty “without a reasonable doubt.” If they do not fulfill that minimum standard, then the jury should not convict you of the crime. The prosecutors will show any relevant evidence and have witnesses give testimony. No two cases are the same, meaning, there is no way to determine how long this process can take ahead of time. 

  • Cross-Examination – Your criminal defense attorney will then have the opportunity to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses and other evidence. Tom Cox is here to tell your side of the story and paint you a different picture than the prosecutors. 

  • Defense Presents Evidence and Witnesses – Similar to how the prosecutors presented their direct evidence and witnesses, your criminal defense attorney will do the same thing. With Tom Cox at your side, he will build a solid and aggressive case and attempt to discredit the case that has been brought against you. The prosecution will then be able to cross-examine this evidence. 

  • Closing Statements – Once all of the evidence has been presented and all of the witnesses have been heard, the prosecution and your attorney will deliver closing statements to the jury. Here, they will sum up all of the evidence that they presented and communicate how they think the jury should deliver the verdict. 

If you are facing criminal charges in Dallas, Irving, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, University Park, or Dallas County, Texas, contact the Law Offices of Thomas R. Cox III, and schedule a free consultation of your case. You can trust that he will always have your back and will aggressively fight for your justice and future. 

Post-Trial 

  • Jury Deliberations – Once the trial has concluded, the jury will then deliberate over the verdict. There is no way to determine how long this will take; it could take hours or days. Remember, they can only convict you if they believe you are “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” 

  • Verdict – Once the jury has decided on the verdict, everyone will meet again and deliver the verdict. If you are found not guilty and the prosecution cannot/do not wish to appeal the verdict, then the process is over. 

  • Appeal – If you are found guilty and are able to appeal, you and your defense attorney can discuss those options. However, you cannot appeal just because you are not happy with the decision. In order to appeal, there must be some error that occurred during the process of your criminal trial. 

Fight Your Criminal Charges 

Criminal trials are never easy to endure. However, not having a criminal defense attorney at your side can severely lower your chances for a favorable outcome. With well over 30 years of experience, Tom Cox is here to fight for you.  

He is an understanding defense attorney and will help you from the moment you are arrested to the very end. From paying for your bail to building a strong strategy, trust that he will never give up on you. Contact him today at the Law Offices of Thomas R. Cox III in Dallas, Texas, and schedule a free consultation. He also serves the areas of Irving, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, University Park, and Dallas County, Texas.