In your daily life, you probably don’t often wonder about the Massachusetts legal system. But that’s likely to change once you’re charged with any kind of crime.

It’s common to feel pressured to learn as much as you can about court proceedings and what to expect. But once you start researching, you might become overwhelmed by all the legal jargon and complex processes.

You could use quite a few words to describe what it’s like to face criminal charges. Stressful, overwhelming, and confusing sum up the experience for many people.

Suddenly, you have paperwork, court dates, and a slew of legal terms to keep track of—all while managing feelings of anxiety and fear.

When you’re charged with any kind of crime, it’s hard not to worry about the entire court process. The potential sentence and penalties hanging over you are certainly stressful.

But for many people, the idea of appearing in court is just as scary as being found guilty. And understanding each step of the legal system while you’re in this emotional state can be challenging.

Getting arrested is never a pleasant experience. Even in the best-case scenario, you’ve still got a long road ahead to prove your innocence.

And that road is littered with obstacles.

Court dates, hearings, motions, and mountains of paperwork will all need to be handled with focused caution. One mistake can result in hefty fees or fines, plus a litany of other consequences.