?List and define the major procedural steps in a criminal case, from arrest through appeal.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The basic steps involved in a criminal procedure from the time a crime is reported to the resolution of the case are as follows:•Arrest-A police officer takes the suspect into custody. Most arrests are made without a warrant. After the arrest, the officer searches the suspect, who is then taken to the police station.•Booking-At the police station, the suspect is searched again, photographed, fingerprinted, and allowed at least one telephone call.•After the booking, charges are reviewed. If they are not dropped, a complaint is filed, and a magistrate reviews the case for probable cause.•Initial appearance-The suspect appears before the magistrate, who informs the suspect of the charges and of his or her rights. If the suspect requires a lawyer, one is appointed at this time. The magistrate sets bail.•Preliminary hearing and information-In a court proceeding, a prosecutor presents evidence, and the judge or magistrate determines if there is probable cause to hold the defendant over for trial. The prosecutor formally charges a criminal suspect by filing an information, or criminal complaint.•Grand jury review and indictment-The federal government and about half of the states require grand jury indictment for at least some felonies. The grand jury determines if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime.The grand jury formally charges a criminal suspect by issuing an indictment.•Arraignment-The suspect is brought before the trial court, informed of the charges, and asked to enter a plea.•Plea bargaining-A plea bargain is a prosecutor's promise of concessions, or a promise to seek concessions, for a suspect's guilty plea. Concessions may include a reduced charge or a lesser sentence.•Guilty plea-In most jurisdictions, most cases that reach the arraignment stage do not go to trial but result in a guilty plea, often as a result of a plea bargain. The judge sets the case for sentencing.OR•Trial-Generally, most felony trials are jury trials, and most misdemeanor trials are bench trials (before judges). If the verdict is "guilty," the judge sets the case for sentencing. Everyone convicted of a crime has the right to an appeal.•Sentencing-When a defendant is found guilty by a trial court, the judge will pronounce a sentence, which is the penalty imposed on anyone convicted of a crime. It may consist of incarceration in jail or prison, death (in some states), probation, classes, public work service, or fines or other financial penalties.•Appeal-Persons convicted of crimes have a right of appeal. Most felony convictions are appealed to an intermediate court of appeal or to the state's highest appellate court.About 10 percent of convictions that result in prison sentences are reversed on appeal, generally because evidence obtained by a search did not meet constitutional requirements.?