a court date when the prosecuting attorney and defense counsel can discuss disputed issues and engage in plea negotiations

Appearance in court when a court date is set and some issues are decided by the court before the actual trial.

Any proceedings that are held prior to the trial of a defendant's case.

A hearing between lawyers and the Judge to see if a case can be settled without going to trial or to see if the parties are ready to go to trial.

This is part of the lawsuit process. Sometimes, shortly before trial, the lawyers will have an “off-the-record” discussion with a judge to explore settlement possibilities, and get a judge's viewpoint on the merits of the case. Normally clients do not attend at this meeting.

An informal hearing which is scheduled as soon as possible after an emergency detention hearing. All the parties involved in the court action discuss the case in an effort to agree on issues of adjudication (whether the case is dependency, neglect, or abuse) and the disposition (custody, case plan contents, visitation, criminal prosecution, etc.). In some instances the case is settled at this point and court involvement may end.