What Happens if You Go to Trial and Lose?
As much as you trust your criminal defense lawyer, you are probably wondering what happens if you go to trial and lose.
First of all, it’s completely normal to have all the “what if” scenarios going through your mind. The best way to deal with the what ifs is to talk to your attorney. They know your case and are the best ones to tell you what to expect from the best to the worst possible outcomes.
However, speaking in the most general sense, if you go to trial and lose, the next step is the sentencing hearing.
The sentencing hearing is when the judge will impose your sentence. At this hearing, both your defense lawyer and the prosecution have the opportunity to present additional arguments about the appropriate penalty based on the proven facts and situation of your specific case.
A sentence can include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
- Fines
- Incarceration in jail or prison
- Probation
- Restitution
- Community Service
- Rehabilitation Programs
A good defense lawyer will fight for you to get the best possible sentence for your circumstances, even after you go to trial and lose by being found guilty.
Even if you have been found guilty, you still have the right to fair sentencing. You still have the right to legal representation to argue the circumstances and case-specific factors that a judge will consider when determining your sentence.
This is why it’s important to hire a defense lawyer who will continue to fight for you all the way through. A criminal defense lawyer like Mark Broughton, who sees every individual’s situation with compassion and empathy. And who believes that every person has the right to a fair trial.
