What is a Misdemeanor Pretrial Conference?

In Arizona, a pretrial conference for a misdemeanor case takes place after the initial appearance or arraignment but before the trial. This conference is scheduled after a Not Guilty plea has been entered. During the conference, the prosecutor and defense lawyer will meet in a somewhat informal setting to discuss the case before officially presenting it to the judge. The prosecution will typically share any reports and propose a plea deal at this stage. It is possible for this conference to be rescheduled m