Criminal Justice System: A Guide

When facing criminal charges, getting legal counsel early on is often a significant advantage and will likely help drop your charges. Additionally, the longer it takes to hire legal representation, the more time the other party will have to prepare a case. An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer knows the criminal justice system and will use that knowledge to get your criminal charges dropped before you are officially charged.

The Criminal Justice Process

This segment discusses a comprehensive guide on how the criminal justice system processes criminal cases:

Arrest

The police arrest the suspect (you), place you in custody, and hold you until court. The police must have probable cause for the arrest and enough evidence linking you to a particular crime.

Prosecution

Prosecutors will weigh several factors when prosecuting the criminal defendant, including the strength of the evidence and the seriousness of the crime.

Arraignment

Your lawyer will recommend whether to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest and represent you in the pre-trial. A sentencing date will be scheduled for your case, and a pre-trial conference will be next if you plead not guilty. However, if you plead guilty, you can enter a plea bargain, and a sentencing date will be scheduled.

Pre-Trial

The pre-trial conference will attempt to reach a solution or plea bargain for your case. If the pre-trial does not reach a resolution, an appointed judge or jury will hear your case. Your attorney will attempt to get your case thrown out, citing lack of evidence or an attempt to reach a plea deal to reduce the charges.

At Trial

If the case goes to trial, your lawyer will look for the best strategy to help win your case. Your lawyer will speak for you, call witnesses, and cross-examine the prosecutor’s witnesses. Your lawyer’s job is to convince the judge or jury that the burden of proof has not been met and that there isn’t enough evidence to convict you.

Sentencing

If the judge or jury determines that the burden of proof is met and you are convicted or accept a plea bargain, your attorney will attempt to get the minimum sentence possible. He or she will also try to get you probation or an alternative sentence to incarceration.

The criminal justice system can be complicated and unforgiving, especially if you don’t have a seasoned and knowledgeable attorney representing you. The Slaughter Law Firm has knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys with the experience of litigating your criminal case. Contact us for a free consultation today.