New Hampshire Pre-trial Statement and Order

In all civil jury trials scheduled before Judge Coleman, the parties must jointly prepare and submit a Final Pretrial Order. In each case, the Court will set the date in advance of the trial (a minimum of two weeks before trial) on which the parties must file the Final Pretrial Order.

This Pretrial Order contemplates an Initial Case Resolution Period ("ICRP") in which the parties shall (1) be entitled to limited discovery, (2) define their positions on facts and law in the case, and (3) engage in a nonbinding abbreviated dispute resolution process, such as a mini-trial.

A pretrial hearing, sometimes called a pretrial conference, is a meeting of the defense, the prosecution, and the judge before a trial commences. If one party does not appear, the judge can impose sanctions. During this hearing, a range of documents may be presented, evidence can be presented and excluded, and more.

Your pretrial statement is a statement to the judge where you tell the judge what it is that you're asking for at trial.It's not uncommon for people who are representing themselves not to include an issue that is in dispute in the pre-trial statement.

The scheduling order must limit the time to join other parties, amend the pleadings, complete discovery, and file motions.A represented party must authorize at least one of its attorneys to make stipulations and admissions about all matters that can reasonably be anticipated for discussion at a pretrial conference.

Pretrial release is critical to permit a client to effectively assist in his defense (locate witnesses, review documents, prepare to testify, avoid jail house pallor). Studies have demonstrated a correlation between pretrial release and acquittal at trial.

A pretrial hearing, sometimes called a pretrial conference, is a meeting of the defense, the prosecution, and the judge before a trial commences. If one party does not appear, the judge can impose sanctions. During this hearing, a range of documents may be presented, evidence can be presented and excluded, and more.

The purpose of the pretrial is to assure that all parties are prepared to go on to trial, if necessary, and to discuss alternate means of settling the dispute at an early stage of the proceedings.

A typical prelim may take from a half hour to two hours, and some prelims only last a few minutes. Preliminary hearings are conducted in front of a judge alone, without a jury. Trials can also be conducted by judges alone, when the defendant waives the right to a jury, but prelims never involve a jury.