Understanding Jackson-Denno Hearings
Hi. My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for eight years now, and I want to talk to you about what a Jackson-Denno hearing is and what that means for you.
So this is a hearing that only applies in situations where you’re facing a felony charge and you’re past the preliminary hearing. The first half of your case is over with, you’re already past the preliminary hearing, and you’re getting ready for trial.
This doesn’t apply to any civil cases, doesn’t apply to traffic tickets, misdemeanors, or municipal citations. This is just for felony charges past prelim.
The Purpose of a Jackson-Denno Hearing
The Jackson-Denno hearing seems relatively simple. It applies in cases where there’s a confession made by the defendant. For instance, if you were picked up on charges for some felony offense, and during processing, you confessed in an interview room, this hearing ensures the confession was not coerced.
The hearing determines if the confession was knowingly and voluntarily given. Was there a language barrier, or was the defendant too intoxicated to understand what they were confessing to? These are critical aspects considered during this hearing.
Signs of Coercion
Did the cops threaten or abuse you physically or verbally? Were promises made, like immediate release if you confessed? These factors help determine if the confession is valid and usable in court.
If issues with the confession or its acquisition arise, they are addressed in this hearing. For example, in a recent case, my client’s confession was challenged due to a language barrier, but the judge allowed it in court.
Seeking Legal Assistance
If you have questions about this process or find yourself facing a felony charge with a confession, definitely give me a call. I want to sit down with you to review your confession’s circumstances and ensure everything is in order.
Schedule Your Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session
My name is Carl Birkhead, and I’m a Tulsa felony attorney with Wirth Law Office. I want to help you make law easy. Call me at 918-879-1681 for a low-cost initial strategy session to discuss your case. Let’s ensure nothing can come back to bite you later.
