After the arraignment, you are entitled to the material information regarding the criminal case which the prosecutor has. This process of obtaining information about the case is known as “discovery.” Once discovery is complete, you with your attorney can determine how to proceed to defend yourself.

Based on information obtained through discovery, you can request certain relief from the Court by using one document called the Omnibus Pre-Trial Motion, prior to the trial date. These requests can include a motion to sever cases where there is more than one defendant, or a motion to suppress evidence if it is alleged that the evidence was illegally obtained. A Court would then rule on these requested motions prior to trial. The outcome of these Court rulings gives further direction on how to proceed with your criminal case.

In York County, generally the discovery process begins with an "informal request for discovery" which is a letter sent to the DA's office asking for their materials on the case. If the DA does not respond timely, a motion to compel production of discovery may be filed. Frequently, the DA's office in York County, for some reason, does not often actually receive information from the police departments until after the discovery request is filed. This does not relieve the DA of the obligation to produce the information, however.

You have a limited time frame to request discovery. This, as with virtually all criminal matters, is something best done by an attorney on your behalf. You can reach attorney Joseph N. Gothie at (717) 848-8455 to set up a free, no-risk consultation to discuss your case and your right to pretrial discovery.

---

Share this page: