---
title: "Pretrial"
module_id: "MOD-STAGE-PRETRIAL-INDEX"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/"
current_through: "2026-08-26"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Pretrial
Initial appearance, release or detention, arraignment, disclosure, motions, competency, and speedy-trial controls.
This page is a verified navigation layer. The linked canonical modules, atomic claims, authority cards, and structured controls remain the legal source; this index does not create a rule from omission or shorthand.
## Canonical modules
| Module | Stage | Verification | Atomic claims |
|---|---|---|---:|
| [Initial Appearance and Pretrial Release or Detention](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/initial-appearance-and-pretrial-release.md) | `pretrial/initial-appearance-and-release-detention` | `verified_with_limitations` | 22 |
| [Arraignment and Pretrial Disclosure](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/arraignment-and-pretrial-disclosure.md) | `pretrial/arraignment-and-pretrial-disclosure` | `verified_with_limitations` | 37 |
| [Suppression, Severance, and Pretrial Evidentiary Motions](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/suppression-severance-and-pretrial-motions.md) | `pretrial/suppression-severance-pretrial-motions` | `verified_with_limitations` | 30 |
| [Competency, Insanity Procedure, and Speedy Trial](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/20-pretrial/competency-insanity-and-speedy-trial.md) | `pretrial/competency-insanity-speedy-trial` | `verified_with_limitations` | 38 |

## Stage use controls
- Start with the actual docket posture and controlling court, not the desired remedy.
- Calculate every deadline from its stated triggering event and current computation rule.
- Separate jurisdiction, venue, prerequisites, merits, burden, proof, remedy, review, and appealability.
- Use the circuit overlay for any circuit-sensitive proposition and stop at records marked `not_verified`.
- Preserve the operative filings, orders, transcripts, exhibits, agency record, and proof of filing or service.
## Handoff to adjacent stages
Use the [federal process decision trees](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/decision-trees.md) to identify prerequisites, alternative vehicles, appellate routes, and postjudgment interactions. Generated diagrams are navigation aids only; linked canonical modules control.