Preliminary hearings

• Pages: 305-326
• Author: Thomas J. Farrell,Brandon D. Minde

PRELIMINARY HEARINGS

10-1

CHAPTER 10

PRELIMINARY HEARINGS

I. GENERAL POINTS

§10:01 The Right to a Preliminary Hearing

§10:02 Preemption by Grand Jury Indictment

§10:03 Timing

§10:04 The Standard of Proof

§10:05 Making a Record

§10:06 Applicability of the Rules of Evidence

§10:07 The Arresting Officer

§10:08 Cross-Examination

II. DEFENSE OBJECTIVES

§10:10 Dismissal or a Reduction in Charges

§10:11 Bail Reduction

§10:12 Discovery

§10:13 Locking In Testimony

III. PREPARATION

§10:20 General Points

§10:21 Interview the Client

§10:22 Obtain All Charging Papers and Police Reports

§10:23 Visit the Scene

§10:24 Interview Defense Witnesses

IV. EXAMPLES OF CROSSEXAMINATION QUESTIONS

§10:30 General Techniques

§10:31 Drug Sale

§10:32 Rape Case–Consent Defense

§10:33 Robbery Case–Possible Identification Defense

§10:34 False Billing

§10:35 Aggravated Assault

PRELIMINARY HEARINGS

Criminal Defense Tools and Techniques 10-2

V. COMMON ISSUES

§10:40 The “Fishing Expedition/Discovery” Objection

§10:41 To Impeach or Not?

§10:42 Waiver

§10:43 Calling Witnesses

§10:44 Unavailable Witness–Preliminary Testimony Generally Admissible

§10:45 Unavailable Witness–Prosecution Must Prove Unavailability

§10:46 Unavailable Witness–Reliability Satisfied by Opportunity to Cross-Examine

§10:47 Unavailable Witness–Impeachment

§10:48 Review of the Bind-Over Decision

§10:49 Rearrest After Dismissal

VI. FORMS

Form 10-1 Demand for Preliminary Hearing

Form 10-2 Request for Continuance

Form 10-3 Discovery Letter

Form 10-4 Subpoena for Records

Form 10-5 Letter Confirming Plea Offer

Form 10-6 Letter Upon Dismissal