Being charged with a crime doesn’t strip away your rights if anything, this is the point where they matter most. Knowing what protections you have after a charge is filed helps you make informed decisions instead of reactive ones.

Your Right to Review the Evidence

Through the discovery process, your attorney is entitled to review the evidence the state intends to use against you, including police reports, witness statements, and any video or forensic evidence. This is often where weaknesses in the state’s case are first identified.

Your Right to Challenge the Charges

You have the right to request a preliminary hearing (typically within 10 days of your bond hearing) to challenge whether probable cause actually exists, and your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence obtained improperly.

Your Right to a Trial by Jury

If your case isn’t resolved through a plea or diversion, you have the right to a trial where a jury decides the outcome and the state carries the full burden of proof. Most cases do resolve before reaching this point, but the right to a trial is what gives you leverage in every negotiation along the way.

Moving Forward After a Charge

The choices you make in the days and weeks after a charge who you talk to, whether you have representation at each hearing, how quickly evidence is reviewed shape the options available to you later. Understanding your rights is the first step; having an attorney help you use them effectively is what makes the difference.

First Steps After Being Charged

• Contact an attorney before your first court appearance
• Avoid discussing your case on social media or with anyone but your lawyer
• Keep a written record of dates, names, and events while they’re fresh
• Attend every hearing, even ones that seem minor
• Ask your attorney to walk you through the discovery once it’s received