Steps In a Criminal Case

Steps In a Criminal Case - 8 Steps:--

1st step
Investigation and Arrest: Police investigate what appears to be a crime. Police take evidence to a judge to obtain an arrest warrant. Police then arrest person, take them to a police station, and the charges are recorded.

2nd step
Initial Appearance: When someone is arrested, they must be brought before a judge as quickly as possible to be charged. Judge explains charges to the defendant and reads the person their rights.

3rd step
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: In federal courts, cases go to a Grand Jury and the Grand Jury determines if their is enough evidence to hand up an indictment, or formal charge.

4th step
Plea Bargaining: 90% of criminal cases come to an end with a guilty plea because of plea bargaining. In the pretrial process, the prosecutor, defense lawyer, and police work out an agreement through which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser (or fewer crimes) in return for the government not prosecuting the more serious crimes.

5th step
arraignment and pleas: At the arraignment, the judge reads the formal charge against the defendant in court. Defendant enters one of four pleas:
Not guilty
Not guilty by reason of insanity
Guilty, or in some states
No contest

6th step: The Trial
If the plea is not guilty the next stage is trial. Once the jury is selected, the prosecution presents its case, then the defense presents. Both attorneys will make closing arguments that summarize their case.

7th step:
The Decision (verdict): After closing arguments. the jury discusses wether or not the defendant is guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.

8th step:
Sentencing: If the defendant is not guilty, they are released immediately. If they are guilty, the judge usually determines the sentence.