Following your arraignment, your case will be scheduled for a dispositional date. That date is typically 30-45 days following your arraignment date. Often, our initial action is designed to allow us more time to investigate your case and gather all of the paperwork.

In Hillsborough County whether you were arrested in Tampa or Plant City a disposition is an opportunity to bring both parties together to see if they can reach a satisfactory resolution to your case. We will meet with the prosecutor and review your case for possible settlement. This is commonly known as plea-bargaining. Because of congested court calendars, it is not unusual for a case to have a series of disposition dates.

During this phase, we may need to file one or more motions. Motions are simply a formal request asking the judge for an order. Examples of typical motions in misdemeanor cases are motions to suppress evidence, motions to force the prosecutor to turn over additional discovery, or motions to exclude prejudicial statements or evidence.

Some of these motions can be accomplished without you being present in court; others will require your presence. When we are setting your case for a motion that requires you to be there, we will do our utmost to give you as much advance notice as possible so you can make whatever arrangements necessary to be present.