Pre-trial conference is an opportunity to negotiate and perhaps settle the case or discuss disagreements about what happened or the effect of the law on your specific circumstances. The pre-trial conference is between you and the prosecutor. The municipal prosecutor’s job is to prosecute. However, he/she is also a court officer under duty to treat you with respect. It is assumed that you will do likewise. Please keep in mind that the prosecutor does not represent you, he/she represents the community.
The pre-trial conference will end with a written conference sheet that represents either the settlement achieved or sets a trial date. If there is a settlement, then Judge Steinle has the opportunity to review and either approve or reject the settlement. Generally, a settlement is approved, since it represents a compromise that is acceptable to both sides.