Many Los Angeles criminal courts feature a process for early disposition of felony cases. The nomenclature surrounding this process differs from courthouse to courthouse, sometimes being called the Early Disposition Process, sometimes the Early Disposition Conference, and sometimes the Felony Settlement Conference.
The theme of these differently named settings for a felony case in California court is the same: these are cases in which the parties both anticipate a settlement prior to the preliminary hearing but need more time to negotiate.
An early disposition proceeding is less informal than a trial before a judge in criminal court. In fact, there is no judge present, just the prosecutor and the person who was charged with a crime. The early disposition program is an important part of the criminal case process.
The early disposition proceeding is a chance for both parties to resolve the case without having to litigate the issues at a trial. During this proceeding, the criminal defense attorneys will discuss the facts of the case, negotiate the potential consequences, and decide whether to settle the case or proceed to trial.
In some criminal cases, it's a good idea to direct the case to the EDP Court, which is pending in Los Angeles.
To give readers some useful information about Early Disposition Court, our California criminal defense lawyers are providing a review below.
Defendant's Exposure to State Prison Time
A number of features separate a felony case that will likely proceed to a litigated preliminary hearing and possibly a jury trial from one that is appropriate for setting an early disposition date.
The first and arguably most important consideration is the potential exposure of the defendant to state prison time. In the most serious cases, such as major sex crimes, major gang or drug crimes, or murder cases, the defendant's exposure is so high that the chances of settling are slim.
The prosecution may make it known from the beginning that it is seeking a life sentence or an extremely extended determinate sentence such that negotiation is not a realistic option.
This is a relatively small number of cases, however. Even in murder cases, there can sometimes be issues of proof that make a settlement realistic.
A more common reason why early disposition court may be inappropriate in a felony case is because of a substantial disagreement between the parties about the facts of the case.
It may sound strange, given the media's portrayal of the criminal court process, but in the significant majority of criminal court cases, the important facts about the case are not in serious dispute.
The proof may be so overwhelming against the defendant that the only serious issue in contention is the eventual sentence the defendant will receive.
Resolving Cases in EDP Courts
In other cases, however, the defense and the prosecution may have a serious dispute about what occurred or what the legal significance of the facts are.
The defendant may have a viable affirmative defense, such as an alibi or self-defense, or there may be legal procedural issues on which the parties disagree, such as the statute of limitations.
In these cases, a preliminary hearing, discussed elsewhere in our lengthy article on that subject, is the appropriate mechanism to narrow the scope of disagreement about the facts and resolve any pretrial legal issues. These issues include suppression or the statute of limitations on which the parties will not agree without litigation and testimony by witnesses.
In cases where the facts are not in dispute and the severity of the crime does not prohibit settlement, an early disposition court is a useful vehicle for giving the parties time to negotiate a settlement, which may take months to iron out.
Issues commonly addressed in the early disposition process include the possibility of a reduced offense, such as a misdemeanor, the terms of probation that will be imposed on the defendant, and, critically, the amount of victim restitution.
In many so-called white-collar crimes, such as fraud or embezzlement, the only issue in dispute is the proper calculation of victim restitution.
The early disposition process provides the opportunity for the parties to communicate extensively about the bases for restitution, which is being claimed by victims or calculated by law enforcement without a constantly looming preliminary hearing necessitating a rushed resolution to the case.
Common EDP Resolution on a Felony Case
One common resolution to a felony case often worked out in the early disposition process, is a conditional plea. In this mechanism, a defendant enters an initial guilty or no contest plea to a more serious felony offense and then completes some affirmative obligations.
Sentencing is continued. These obligations could include community service, community labor, payment of victim restitution, completion of an educational class, or others.
Suppose the defendant succeeds and remains arrest-free for a period of time, usually between 12 and 18 months. In that case, the defendant is permitted to withdraw their felony plea and instead receive a reduced offense, usually a misdemeanor.
Because a defendant is not convicted under California law until they are sentenced, a conditional plea provides a substantial benefit.
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
Early disposition courts are designed for cases that are going to be resolved. Defendants are supposed to receive the best offers from the city attorney or prosecutor here. The fact that a defendant is even going to an EDP means they are seeking to resolve the case without a trial.
If you or a family member is facing felony charges in a Los Angeles criminal court and are interested in the early disposition process and the opportunity to settle a case in early disposition court rather than litigate it at a preliminary hearing or trial, contact our team of experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys for an initial consultation.
Eisner Gorin LLP is a top-ranked criminal defense law firm. Its team of highly skilled lawyers has several decades of combined experience and a long history of successful case results.
Our main office is located adjacent to the Van Nuys Superior Courthouse at 14401 Sylvan St #112 Van Nuys, CA 91401. We are also located in Century City at 875 Century Park E #705, Los Angeles, CA 90067. Contact our office to discuss the details of your case at (310) 328-3776.
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