How court ACTUALLY works

Hey there

Another Tuesday, another legal crash course from your favorite internet lawyer. 

Today, we’re gonna talk about what ACTUALLY happens in court and the things you should NEVER do if you want a shot at winning your case.

Let’s get into it...

Criminal court 101: How court actually works

You’ve seen it on TV a million times. 

A prosecutor pacing the room. Objection, Your Honor! The jury gasps. 

But in real life, court is a lot less glamorous and a lot more process.

So, how does a criminal court case actually work? From the first charges to the final verdict, here’s the real step-by-step breakdown (minus the Hollywood edits).

Before the Trial

This is the “getting ready” stage where all the prep work happens.

Investigation and charging: Cops (or federal agencies like the FBI) investigate the crime and collect evidence. Then it’s up to the prosecutor to decide whether to file charges.

Arraignment: You’re in court. Charges are explained, you hear your rights, and then you plead:

• Guilty (yep, I did it).

• Not guilty (prove it).

• No contest (I’m not admitting it, but I’ll accept the punishment).

Heads up... In some cases, the first hearing is just for charges and rights. Pleading comes at a later date.

Bail: Want to go home until the trial? A judge will set bail. It’s not a fine... it’s money that ensures you’ll show up for court. For smaller offenses, the judge might let you off with something called “Own Recognizance” (basically, you pinky-promise in writing to come back). But for serious charges? Bail might not even be on the table. 

Plea Deal: Prosecutors might offer you a deal: plead guilty to something smaller, avoid a trial, and get a lighter punishment.

The Trial

Here’s where things start to heat up...

Jury Selection: Lawyers and judges pick a fair, unbiased group to decide the case. However, juries are not always required for less serious offenses (misdemeanors). 

Opening Statements: Both sides set out their arguments.

The Evidence: The prosecutor calls witnesses, presents evidence, and tries to prove you’re guilty. The defense cross-examines witnesses and pokes holes in the prosecution’s story. The defense will also present witnesses and evidence after the prosecution rests its case. 

Closing Arguments: One last pitch to the jury before they decide.

Then the jury vanishes to deliberate, and when they return? It’s either “guilty” or “not guilty.” If they can’t agree, it’s a hung jury... and the case could be retried.

After the Trial

What happens next depends on the verdict.

Not happy with the judgment? You can appeal and ask a higher court to take another look if you think the judge made a mistake (like allowing certain evidence) or the sentence was too harsh.

Quickest way to lose your court case...

Want to lose your court case in record time? It’s easier than you think... 

• Miss your court date or show up late!

• Call the judge “my guy” or “Señor Rizzler” instead of “Your Honor”. 

• Interrupt the judge and other people when it’s not your turn to talk. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In this video, I’ll show you 3 more ways people have tanked their own cases to secure the L... They sound crazy, but yep, this stuff actually happens.

In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to forget what you should and shouldn’t do... If you want to feel fully prepared for any tricky situations life throws at you, I’m putting together some easy-to-follow guides on all the basics to keep you one step ahead at all times. Want early access? Hop on the waitlist here!

That’s it for today. Until next Tuesday, this case is closed.

Speak soon

Mike