Fairfield Second-Degree Harassment Trials

Following an arrest for second-degree harassment, an individual will be granted the opportunity to post bail. If an individual can post bail, they are released until their trial. Fairfield second-degree harassment trials can be difficult to navigate alone which is why it is important to work with an attorney. A determined second-degree harassment lawyer could work tirelessly in pursuit of a positive outcome for you.

Expectations at a Second-Degree Harassment Arraignment

In the event a person is charged with harassment in the second-degree, they should expect to be brought before a Superior Court judge. While they are in front of the judge, the alleged victim or accuser has the chance to speak to the judge and tell them if they feel threatened or if they feel clear of present danger to their safety. The prosecutor and Bail Commissioner would make arguments and recommend any additional conditions of release at the hearing. The defense attorney would have a chance to make arguments on a person’s behalf as to why to let their conditions of release be imposed or if they are arguing bond why a nominal bond amount should be imposed or even of promise to appear.

What should be expected from the prosecutor and the Bail Commissioner is a recommendation of any additional conditions of release at the initial court hearing. These could include anger management, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, and mental health counseling. They could argue for a curfew, a no-contact restraining order, or GPS monitoring.

Aspects of Second-Degree Harassment Trials

The timeframe for Fairfield second-degree harassment trials is typically about one to two years before the case would be called into trial. It could sometimes be even longer than that. The Bridgeport Superior Court located at 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut would handle a second-degree harassment case. Typically, harassment in the second-degree case would not proceed to trial in Fairfield. Usually, if the person is eligible for the accelerated pretrial rehabilitation program or if there is enough evidence to prove the prosecution’s case beyond a reasonable doubt, the attorney would try to make a deal with the prosecutor.

Alternatives to Trial

The alternatives to going to trial would be most typically the use of the accelerated pretrial rehabilitation programs and not the pretrial diversionary program offered through the court. It results in the dismissal of the charges at the end of the time period set by the judge. If a person is not eligible for that diversionary program, typically it would result in a plea to a lesser offense.

Complainant Testimony During Trial

If the alleged victim wants to be heard and put on the stand during the trial process, the person should expect to hear them tell the judge that they feel threatened or endangered. They would tell the judge everything that they feel has been annoying them or the repeated harassment that they have been experiencing from the person. Inconsistencies in statements might reflect poorly upon a person charged with second-degree harassment in Fairfield. This would typically be indicative of some type of guilt. If the alleged victim is giving inconsistent statements, it would typically be indicative of the fact that they are fabricating their claims or making up whatever their accusations are.

Value of a Fairfield Second-Degree Harassment Attorney

It is important to maintain composure during court proceedings despite any emotional attachments to the subject of discourse because if someone is highly emotional in court, they would typically seem like more of a risk to the judge and the judge would impose stricter conditions of release protecting the complainant. A skilled harassment attorney could help an individual maintain their composure and could advise them on how to behave during the trial process. Seasoned attorneys are more likely to have experience handling Fairfield second-degree harassment trials and could leverage their experience in order to build a strong defense for those who have been accused.