Steps in Pursuing Justice

Steps in Pursuing Justice

by Larissa Raven

​First:

• ​Crime is committed

• ​Crime is discovered and suspect may be identified

• ​Police investigate and information is collected

• ​Crime scene is documented and searched for evidence

• ​All of the information is assembled into a report for a prosecutor

Multiple Choice

The prosecutor...

• works for the government and tries to prove that the defendant is not guilty.

• works for the government and tries to prove that the defendant is guilty.

• works for the defendant and tries to prove that the defendant is not guilty.

• works for the defendant and tries to prove that the defendant is guilty.

​Next:

• ​If there is enough evidence to establish probable cause, an arrest warrant is issued. In cases of excessive danger, officers do not wait for a warrant.

• ​During arrest, Miranda Rights are read.

• ​After arrest a suspect is booked - fingerprinted, photographed, and personal information taken.

Multiple Select

What happens when a person is "booked"? (More than 1 answer)

• They are fingerprinted.

• They are allowed to give bail.

• Their photograph is taken.

• Their personal information is collected.

​Then:

• ​Within 72 hours, the suspect is brought before a judge for arraignment.

• ​During arraignment the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges, have bail set, have future court dates set, and enter a plea.

Multiple Choice

Within 72 hours, after being arrested, the suspect is brought before a judge for a(n) ________ to hear charges, have bail set, have future court dates set, and enter a plea.

• evidentiary hearing

• preliminary hearing

• grand jury

• arraignment

​Plea:

• ​Defendants may enter a plea of:

  • ​Guilty

  • ​Not guilty

  • ​Not guilty by reason of insanity

  • ​Double Jeopardy

  • ​No Contest

Multiple Choice

Which plea means that the defendant does not want to plead guilty, but wont argue the charges?

• Double Jeopardy

• Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

• No Contest

• Guilty

​Preliminary Hearing:

• ​Preliminary/Evidentiary Hearing: A hearing before a judge to determine whether a person charged with a crime should be held for trial.

  • ​Occurs before a judge

  • ​Both prosecution and defense present evidence

  • ​Judge will lower charges, dismiss, or send to court

Multiple Select

What happens during a Preliminary Hearing? (More than 1 answer)

• Occurs before a judge.

• Prosecution presents evidence.

• Defense presents evidence.

• Occurs before a jury

​Grand Jury:

• ​Grand Jury: A group of people are selected to serve as a jury. They will decide whether to bring charges, or an indictment, against a potential defendant.

  • ​Indict = formally accuse

  • ​Only prosecutor presents evidence

Multiple Select

What happens during a Grand Jury? (More than 1 answer)

• Occurs before a judge.

• Prosecution presents evidence.

• Defense presents evidence.

• Occurs before a jury

Multiple Choice

Which word means to formally accuse a person of a crime?

• indict

• acquit

• arraign

• appeal

​Plea Bargain:

• ​Plea Bargaining: An agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor in return drops more serious charges to avoid the cost and time of trial.

• ​More than 90% of convictions come from negotiated pleas, which means less than 10% of criminal cases end up in trials

Multiple Choice

What are the benefits of plea bargaining?

• Saves the court time.

• Saves the court money.

• The defendant serves time for a lesser charge.

• All of the above.