Usually requested by the judge to insure that both prosecutor and defense are making progress, have shared access to all evidence and to and to update the court calendar. The defendant has to be there in case the judge accepts a plea deal or feels there is a risk and request the defendant go to jail. I found it was mostly my lawyer arranging lunch or coffee arrangements with the prosecutor.

Just another formality in the longggg process of the system. Varies from state to state county to county. Ive sat in thousands of status conferences. The defendant can waive his right to a preliminary hearing at this point or it goes on to that hearing. Like i said a formality to see where the case is going. This hearing usually happens within 20 days of being charged. From there its still months before the end. Talk to an attorney. Most attorneys are just so used to all these hearings that they forget the newcomers have no clue. Good luck

Thank you West... You explanation was much better. You do bring up a good point though about how the system takes for granted that new comers know the "Slang." I don't know how many times I had to ask my PO's what the hell they were talking about!

Thank you West... You explanation was much better. Your do bring up a good point though about how the system takes for granted that new comers know the "Slang." I don't know how many times I had to ask my PO's what the hell they were talking about!

Thank you both for your reply. I so appreciate it.

My nephew was denied bond after 3 detention hearings. Never had physical contact nor verbal with a minor. Strictly bantar with Craig's List solicitors.

Regardless...here we are...and trying to educate ourselves to the system as we go. The moving from one facility to another on a days notice, making sure he has funds available for toiletries and phone calls, etc...it's been a nightmare to say the least.

I thought there was a 77 day discovery period and than a decision is made towards a plea or trial. (we're in Michigan, but it's a federal charge) He was arrested in May, formally charged on 1 count in July.

@ Free to Breathe...you're so right I don't know the "slang" and attorney is not being very informative.

@ West...you would be an amazing and so needed family advocate.

Thank you both again for your feedback.

FreeToBreath, my husband's attorney did the same. Talk about conflict of interest....

Update... The prosecutor asked for 60 more days for discovery and it was allowed.

This has been going on since his arrest in May. Like I had said earlier...3 delayed bond hearings per prosecutors request and now this?

I'm completely confused. Either this prosecutor is in case overload or he's on a mission to bring my nephew down and is not giving up til he does just that.

So...I guess this means no status update on the prosecutor's end?

Prosecutors do like having sex crime convictions under their belt, but if I had to guess they are probably just too back logged with so many other cases. It's not just the Public defenders office that is completely overwhelmed with cases, DA's are too. That is why the plea bargain everything. If every defendant in the country requested a trial and didn't take a plea the whole system would topple over.

The "speedy trial" crap is just that....the count is constantly stopped "in the interest of justice" in federal. We spent over 3 1/2 years running through the process and yet had only uses 9 days (which was larger than I expected the count to be). The judges give that speech so many times that their eyes glaze over as soon as they start to recite it!

Not to chuckle at your expense but "if every defendant in the country requested a trial and didn't tale plea the whole system would topple over" I had to imagine this and almost wish it. It would certainly be a wake up call to the public.

except that they punish you with a huge sentence if you dont take a plea....and by the time you get to that point your nerves just wont take any more!

I agree with you Frog. It would absolutely overwhelm the court calendar but at the same time bankrupt the defendants...

Lol, Right frogpond? It's just silly to think how many cases are plead down (over 95%).

And yes Sam, the government has to hammer people who choose to go to trial because they cannot encourage more people do so or the whole think topples.

Well think about it.... Everyone at once decides for trial in America... Instant mayhem, bankrupt the states, not enough time and people for juries, no stores would be open, the courts would overflow and rioting would ensue.
Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes..
The dead rising from the grave!
Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

Plea bargains are to the justice system as fiber is to your body -- it keeps everything regular (and poopy) LOL.