SUMMONS

If you have been charged with a felony and receive a summons, you are ordered to appear for an “Initial Appearance.” The summons also states you are ordered to completed fingerprints & photograph at the Jail Annex. This needs to be complete by your Initial Appearance date.

The purpose of the “Initial Appearance” is to inform you of the charge(s) against you and the maximum and minimum penalties of the charge(s).

You will not enter a plea since these are felony charge(s). At this time you may request court appointed counsel. This matter is set for a Preliminary Hearing date which you are ordered to appear.

PRELIMINARY HEARING

When you have a Preliminary Hearing date, you need to stay in contact with your attorney to confirm that your Preliminary Hearing date is still scheduled. If you are not represented by an attorney, contact the Court. If the Preliminary Hearing is held, the State has to show probable cause that the Defendant committed the charge(s). If the State shows probable cause, the case is transferred to Superior Court for all further proceedings. The Superior Court will notify you of the next court date.