Arraignment
: Arraignment is the start of the formal prosecution of someone's case. It is also called an initial hearing or initial appearance. It is a very important part of the criminal process.
What is the order of steps in a criminal trial?
- Investigation.
- Charging.
- Initial Hearing/Arraignment.
- Discovery.
- Plea Bargaining.
- Preliminary Hearing.
- Pre-Trial Motions.
- Trial.
What is the first step in the criminal trial process?
The first step is called ‘
arraignment
‘. This is where the Judge's Associate (who is the person sitting in front of the judge) reads aloud to the Accused (who is the person on trial) each count on the indictment (ie each charge).
What is the last step in adult criminal trials in Georgia?
Closing Statements:
Defense and prosecution make final arguments to the jury
. Jury Deliberation and Verdict: Jury considers evidence and makes a decision. If verdict is not guilty, defendant is freed. Sentencing: If verdict is guilty, judge determines (within limits set by law) what the sentence will be.
What are the first 3 steps of a criminal trial?
- Step 1: Crime Committed / Police Notified.
- Step 2: Police Investigate.
- Step 3: Police Make an Arrest (or Request a Warrant)
- Step 4: Warrant/Charging Request Reviewed by Prosecuting Attorney.
- Step 5: Warrant Issued.
- Step 6: Suspect Arrested.
- Step 7: District Court Arraignment.
What are the 7 stages of a criminal trial?
- Voir Dire. Voir Dire is a fancy French word used to name jury selection. …
- Opening Statement. After the jury is empaneled, the trial will begin with opening statements. …
- State's Case in Chief. …
- The Defense Case. …
- State's Rebuttal. …
- Closing Arguments. …
- Verdict.
What are the 12 steps of a trial?
- Opening statement made by the prosecutor or plaintiff.
- Opening statement made by the defendant.
- Direct examination by plaintiff or prosecutor.
- Cross examination by defense.
- Motions.
- Direct examination by defense.
- Cross examination by prosecutor or plaintiff.
What are the 8 stages of a criminal trial?
- Step 1: Arrest. An arrest is the initial stage in the criminal process in which an individual accused of a crime is taken into custody. …
- Step 2: Charges. …
- Step 3: Arraignment. …
- Step 4: Pretrial Proceedings. …
- Step 5: Trial. …
- Step 6: Verdict. …
- Step 7: Sentencing. …
- Step 8: Appeal.
What are the 6 steps of a trial?
- Choosing a Jury.
- Opening Statements.
- Witness Testimony and Cross-Examination.
- Closing Arguments.
- Jury Instruction.
- Jury Deliberation and Verdict.
What are the five steps in a criminal trial?
- Arrest.
- Preliminary hearing.
- Grand jury investigation.
- Arraignment in Criminal Court.
- Trial by jury.
Which Georgia court hears all felony cases?
Superior court judges
preside over all felony trials, have exclusive jurisdiction over divorces and may correct errors made by limited jurisdiction courts.
How long can a felony charge be pending in Georgia?
The statute of limitations in criminal law sets the time period in which the state can pursue charges against the defendant in order to bring a case to trial. If you are accused of felony theft, for example, the state has
4 years from the time the
crime occurred to officially charge you.
Who decides if a criminal case goes to trial?
Jury
. A group of (usually) 12 people chosen at random from the general community who are tasked with the responsibility of determining whether the defendant is guilty on the evidence presented in a criminal trial. The jury determines the verdict (that is, whether the accused is Guilty or Not Guilty).
Why do most cases never go to trial?
It's no secret that the overwhelming majority of criminal cases never reach trial. The prosecution may dismiss charges, perhaps because of
a lack of evidence
. Sometimes prosecutors decide not to refile charges after a felony defendant prevails at the preliminary hearing.
How many jurors are needed for a criminal trial?
Twelve people
, and alternates, make up a criminal jury. A unanimous decision must be reached before a defendant is found “guilty.” The government must prove the crime was committed “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Guilty pleas and plea negotiations reduce the need for juries in criminal cases.
What are the stages of court cases?
- Institution of suit: …
- Issue and service of summons. …
- Appearance of Defendant. …
- Written Statement, set-off and claims by defendant. …
- Replication/Rejoinder by Plaintiff. …
- Examination of parties by Court. …
- Framing of Issues. …
- Evidence and Cross-Examination of plaintiff.
