When you’re facing a criminal charge, one question tends to push everything else aside: “Will my case go to trial?” That question carries fear, stress, and a lot of unknowns. In one of our General FAQ Videos, we walk through that concern in plain language and share how we think about trial at Cates & Reed, PLLC. We recorded this video to give you a clear, honest look at how we approach your case from day one and how that reflects our core belief: if you do things like everyone else does, you end up average. We do not aim for average.
The honest answer to “Will my case go to trial?” In the video, we start with the question everyone wants answered: “Will my case go to trial?” You hear a straightforward response: > “Will my case go to trial? That depends. And I hate using that answer as a lawyer. But it really does depend.” We acknowledge something most people already suspect: “It depends” can sound like a dodge. Instead of hiding behind that phrase, we explain what it truly means. That moment sets the tone. We aim to talk with you the same way we do in court prep: directly and without fluff.
What “it depends” really means for your case The video breaks “it depends” into concrete pieces you can understand. We talk about how several factors shape whether a case heads to trial:
- The strength of the case
- The facts we can prove or challenge
- Whether your defense makes sense
- Whether we can support that defense with evidence and corroborating testimony As we say in the video: > “It depends on the strength of the case, the facts of the case, and whether or not your defense makes sense, and that we can support that with other evidence and corroborating testimony.”
We want you to see that we do not treat your case like a mystery or a guess. We look at real details: police reports, statements, physical evidence, and how they fit together. We test whether a defense theory holds up against those facts. When you watch the video, you’ll hear how we walk through that process and why it matters.
Why we treat every case like it could go to trial The most revealing line in the video captures how we think about preparation: > “But I think treating every case like it’s going to trial helps in the long run.” That sentence reflects a core value at Cates & Reed, PLLC. We do not assume a case will end in a quick deal. We prepare as if we will stand in front of a jury and defend you. When we adopt that mindset: - We dig deeper into the facts. - We look harder for helpful evidence and witnesses. - We build a defense that can withstand tough questions. This approach helps in many situations, not just trials. Strong preparation often shapes how the other side views your case and how discussions unfold. The video gives you a window into that mindset so you can see how seriously we take the work.
How this video reflects our values today Across our website, we commit to clear, useful information and a positive, helpful experience for every visitor. This General FAQ Video is one way we live that out. Instead of giving a canned answer, we:
- Speak in everyday language, not legal jargon.
- Acknowledge your real concern about trial instead of dodging it.
- Walk through how we think about your case in a practical, evidence-focused way. We want you to know who we are and how we operate before you ever pick up the phone. The video shows that we do not hide behind big promises or vague phrases. We break questions down and tell you how we see them.
Why watching this FAQ matters for you If you worry about court, this video helps you put that fear into context. You will see that:
- “Will my case go to trial?” does not have a one-word answer.
- Your unique facts and evidence drive that decision.
- A trial-ready mindset guides how we review and build your defense. We encourage you to watch the video, listen to how we talk through the question, and think about how that approach lines up with what you want from a criminal defense law firm.
At Cates & Reed, PLLC, we do not strive to be average. We choose to think, prepare, and communicate in a way that reflects that. If you have questions about how this applies to your own situation, you can call (480) 864-3807 and talk with us about your case.