Steps in the Criminal Justice Process

We are sorry that you have become a victim of crime. The information below will describe the criminal justice process and help you understand how you can become involved in the system.

Reporting the Crime

When a crime is reported to law enforcement, an officer is sent to the crime scene to find out what happened. An arrest may be made at that time. Many times a detective with special training is assigned to the case. The detective will interview all parties involved, gather evidence, and write a report. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be sent to the Prosecuting Attorney for review with the type of charge indicated on the report.

Charging Decision

The office of the Prosecuting Attorney assigns the report to one of the deputy prosecuting attorneys. The report is evaluated to determine if there is enough evidence to file charges. At this time, one of three things will occur: 1) no charges are filed due to lack of criminal evidence; 2) further investigation is required and law enforcement is asked to obtain additional information, or 3) charges are filed in a document called an Information or Complaint.

Preliminary Appearance

The defendant's first appearance in court for further hearings. If a suspect is arrested and held in jail, this hearing must take place within 72 hours and it is often the next court day after arrest. This appearance will occur before formal charges have been filed. If the suspect is not held in jail or is released on bail, a summons will be issued after the prosecutor has filed formal charges. This appearance can take place up to a month or more after the charges are filed. At the time of the preliminary appearance, the charges will be read to the defendant, he/she will be advised of his/her rights and appointed an attorney if needed. No plea will be entered. Bail must be set in all cases regardless of the crime committed. The suspect may agree to appear and be released on personal recognizance. Other conditions of release, such as no contact with the victim, can be addressed.

Arraignment

The court appearance during which the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty. At this time, the charges will be read again and the defendant will either plead guilty or not guilty. If the defendant pleads guilty, they may be sentenced at that time or a date for sentencing will be set and a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) may be ordered for certain crimes. If no PSI is ordered, sentencing can take place immediately. If requested, victims have a right to be notified before sentencing can occur. If the defendant pleads not guilty, a trial date will be set. Other hearings may also take place before the trial date.

Omnibus Hearing

A hearing where the defense attorney and prosecuting attorney exchange information as to witnesses that will be called at trial, the nature of defense, whether discovery is complete, and whether further hearings besides trial will be necessary. The judge reviews and orders what is requested by either side if he or she deems it appropriate. If a continuance of the case is necessary, it will likely occur at the omnibus hearing.

3.5/3.6 Hearing

Court hearings during which requests are made to suppress or keep certain evidence out of the trial. The 3.5 hearing is for suppression of statements and confessions made by the defendant. A 3.6 hearing is for suppression of physical evidence.

Interviews

The defense attorney may wish to interview you. This can happen anytime up until trial. The Victim/Witness Unit will gladly set up an interview for the defense attorney or investigator so a prosecutor and victim advocate can attend with you. You may speak to them alone or tell them to contact the prosecutor's office if they contact you directly.

Change of Plea Hearing

When the defendant reconsiders and chooses to plead guilty to charges against him/her. Many times the prosecuting attorney will agree to a plea bargain before the trial date. This may be a reduction in the number of charges, the actual charge may be changed or the prosecutor may agree to recommend an amount of time in exchange for the guilty plea.

Pre-Trial Hearing

At the pre-trial hearing, the defense attorney and prosecuting attorney report on the progress of their cases and request further information that they need from the other attorney or call "ready" for trial.

Trial

Subpoenas are issued to anyone who will be testifying in the trial. Trials can be heard before either a judge and jury or only a judge; it is the defendant's choice. Witnesses are not allowed to come into the courtroom until they testify and have been released by the court. Trials are open to any interested person, including the public and media.

Verdict

After the evidence is presented at trial, the jury or judge deliberates and makes a verdict. There are several possible verdicts - guilty, not guilty, hung jury, or mistrial. If the defendant is found guilty, sentencing will be set. If the defendant is found not guilty, the case is over. If it is a hung jury or a mistrial, there could be another trial date set.

Sentencing

Sentencing may occur quickly if a PSI is not ordered. If a PSI is ordered, a sentencing date will be scheduled generally within the next four to eight weeks after either a conviction or change of plea hearing. Sentences are given within a standard range based on the crime and the defendant's criminal history. Victims are encouraged to present a Victim Impact Statement to the judge explaining how the crime has affected them. The Victim/Witness Unit or victim advocate can accompany victims to the sentencing if they wish to attend.

Restitution

If you have had a financial loss because of the crime, you have the right to restitution if you provide documentation of your loss to the Victim/Witness Unit. Restitution can be ordered at sentencing or at a restitution hearing within 180 days from the date of sentencing.

Glossary

Defendant: A person who is accused of and/or arrested for breaking the law.
Defense Attorney: The person whose job it is to help the defendant in court.
Evidence: The facts and physical items involved in the crime, were presented by all witnesses at the trial.
Victim Impact Statement: A statement, usually in the form of a letter or spoken directly to the judge, from the victim, family, friends, etc. concerning how this crime has affected them.
Information/Complaint: An official document filed with the court by the Prosecuting Attorney setting forth the crimes allegedly committed.
Personal Recognizance: The defendant's agreement to appear in court for further hearings.
Plea Bargain: An agreement between the defendant and the Prosecuting Attorney as to what charge the defendant will plead guilty to and what sentencing recommendation the Prosecuting Attorney will make to the court.
Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI): A complete investigation, contacting parties involved, by a Department of Corrections caseworker, who reports to the court with recommendations for sentencing.
Prosecuting Attorney and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney: The person elected by the people of the county to represent the State and prove that the defendant committed the crime. Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys are assistants of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Subpoena: A written order to be at the court proceedings at a certain date and time. Failure to comply with a subpoena may be considered contempt of court and the court may order your arrest. The date on the subpoena is the day trial begins. Many times a jury has to be picked before testimony can begin. If you receive a subpoena, be sure to call the office that issued it a day before the hearing to get your actual testimony date and time.
Testify: To tell the truth in the courtroom about what happened.