Recent News on Steps of a Criminal Trial Choose an issue in recent news/a current event.

Discuss how this issue relates to subject matter covered in class;
Identify arguments on each side of the issue;
Explain your position on the issue; explain why this issue is particularly important.

Recent News on Steps of a Criminal Trial or Stages of a Criminal Case

Arrest – A criminal case begins when you are arrested for a crime.
Booking Process – After you are arrested you are then processed into police custody.
Bail or Bond – The first thing you want to know after being placed in jail is how much it’s going to cost to get out.
Arraignment – Usually, your first appearance in court after you have been arrested is a hearing called the arraignment.
Plea Bargaining – With the criminal court system overwhelmed with cases, only 10 percent of cases go to trial.
Preliminary Hearing – At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor tries to convince the judge there is enough evidence to show that a crime was committed and you probably committed it.
Pre-Trial Motions – Your attorney has the opportunity to exclude some of the evidence against you and try to establish some of the ground rules for your trial by making pre-trial motions.
Criminal Trial – If you are truly innocent or if you are not satisfied with any plea deals offered to you, you have the option to allow a jury to decide your fate.
If you plead guilty or you were found guilty by a jury, you will be sentenced for your crime.
Appeals Process – If you think a legal error caused you to be convicted and sentenced unfairly, you have the ability to appeal to a higher court.