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.
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