Some people think that they do not need to attend a preliminary hearing or that they do not need a lawyer at these early stages of criminal proceedings. It is true that you do not always need a lawyer, but when you can benefit from a free, no-risk consultation, why would you make that decision without at least talking to one? Call attorney Joseph N. Gothie, Esq., at (717) 848-8455 to discuss your case before deciding to proceed without an attorney.

You could ask yourself before you move further into the process if you feel confident that you can do the following:

1. make all of the legal arguments in your favor that a prima facie case has not been made by the Commonwealth at the preliminary hearing;
2. negotiate with the police officer or Assistant District Attorney to allow for reduction of bail or the dropping of some or all of the charges against you;
3. arrange for a court reporter to be present at your preliminary hearing because a transcript of the proceedings can be used to pin witnesses down to their story at an early stage of the proceedings and can also provide the basis for filing motions with the Court of Common Pleas to show that that the Commonwealth failed to make a prima facie case;
4. question witnesses in order to elicit useful information in preparation for trial;
5. move for sequestration of witnesses so that each is barred from listening to the testimony of others;
6. ask for removal of the Judge if there is good reason to believe there may be bias against you;
7. invoke all of the various unforeseeable constitutional issues that might arise, such as the need for a line-up before being viewed by witnesses;
8. be familiar with the rules of court and the rules of evidence; and
   
9. know the parties involved, such as the magisterial district judge, the police officers, or the prosecuting attorneys and their preferences (practical experience, in other words).

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