A Glossary of common court terms posted by Stephen Jones, your Massachusetts oui lawyer:

1. Arraignment- This is usually the next date the court is open after your arrest. You will be formally told what the charges and the court will enter a plea of not guilty for you and give you a date to come back for a pre-trial conference or pre-trial hearing

2. Pre-trial Conference or Pre-trial hearing- This is when a pre-trial conference report is filled out by your lawyer and the prosecutor. This report sets out what information and evidence is going to be exchanged and what is going to happen next on the case.

3. Motion Hearing- There are two different kinds of motions (a request for the court to do something), motions to get the prosecutor to turn over things they don't want to and motions to stop the prosecutor from using evidence (motions to suppress)

4. Trial- In Massachusetts the accused has the choice of having a jury or a judge decide the case. This decision is based upon the facts of the case and who the judge is and is usually made on the trial date.

5. Disposition- This term refers to what happens if you plead guilty or are found guilty. It can include jail or probation and may include the condition that you remain drug or alcohol free.

Contact Stephen Jones to learn what the above terminology means to you and your case.