COVID-19 is Not an Excuse: Courts Must Hold Preliminary Hearings Within 60 Days of Arraignment

COVID-19 is Not an Excuse: Courts Must Hold Preliminary Hearings Within 60 Days of Arraignment The question before the court in Lacayo v. Superior Court was whether there were such “extraordinary circumstances” presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic to justify “good cause” for continuance of the defendant’s preliminary hearing beyond the 60-Day Rule. On February 24, 2020, Defendant Kareem Lacayo (“Lacayo”) was arraigned on charges for possession of a firearm…

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Courtroom criminal defense attorney

What to Expect at a Preliminary Hearing

What to Expect at a Preliminary Hearing If you are accused of a felony offense, there will be a step in the criminal process called the preliminary hearing. Also referred to as a “probable cause” hearing or a “trial before the trial,” the preliminary hearing is where the judge will determine if the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to move forward with your case. It is important to…

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