Criminal Process Outline

Arrest

• Police investigate crime• Suspect is arrested and interrogated• Booked and allowed to call a lawyer or is

appointed one (public defender)

Arraignment

• (Suspect indicted by a grand jury)• Suspect is taken before a judge and is formally

charged with a crime.• Suspect enters a plea and can ask for bail.• Bailiff: Court officer brings in judge “All Rise”

• (Witnesses can questioned during any stage of process during investigation.)

Trial

• Suspect sits before the judge and jury while the prosecutor and the defense attorney lays out their cases.

• Questions and Cross-examine witnesses (give their testimony).

• Bailiff brings in Judge (“All Rise”) and the Jury and watches over court proceedings

Plea Bargain

• Suspect can avoid a trial by pleading guilty to a lesser charge. This is an agreement between the prosecutor and suspect.

• Suspect is convicted of crime and is sentenced

Verdict

• Jury deliberates and makes a decision• Suspect is found guilty (convicted) or not

guilty (Acquitted)

Sentencing

• Once convicted the suspect is punished in accordance with the crime committed.