👨🏻‍⚖️Criminal Justice Unit 8 – Pretrial and Trial Procedures

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Pretrial procedures encompass the legal processes that occur after an arrest but before a criminal trial begins
• Arraignment is the formal reading of criminal charges against the defendant in court and the defendant's opportunity to enter a plea
• Plea bargaining involves negotiations between the prosecution and defense to reach an agreement where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a lighter sentence
• Discovery is the process where the prosecution and defense exchange information and evidence related to the case
• Voir dire refers to the questioning of potential jurors by the judge and attorneys to determine their suitability to serve on the jury
• Beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard of proof required for a criminal conviction, meaning the evidence must be so strong that there is no reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt
• Double jeopardy is a constitutional protection that prevents a person from being tried twice for the same crime

Pretrial Procedures

• Pretrial procedures aim to ensure fairness, protect the rights of the accused, and prepare the case for trial
• The pretrial phase begins with the arrest of the suspect and ends when the trial commences or the case is resolved through a plea bargain
• Key steps in pretrial procedures include the initial appearance, bail hearing, arraignment, plea bargaining, discovery, and pretrial motions
• During the initial appearance, the judge informs the defendant of the charges and their rights, and determines bail or pretrial release conditions
• Pretrial motions, such as motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, can be filed by the defense to challenge the admissibility of evidence or the validity of the case
• Plea negotiations often occur during the pretrial phase, where the prosecution and defense discuss potential plea agreements
• If a plea agreement is not reached, the case proceeds to trial

Arrest and Booking Process

• An arrest occurs when a law enforcement officer takes a person into custody based on probable cause or an arrest warrant
• Upon arrest, the suspect is informed of their Miranda rights, which include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney
• The booking process involves recording the suspect's personal information, taking fingerprints and photographs, and conducting a search for weapons or contraband
• During booking, the suspect's personal property is inventoried and stored until release
• The suspect may be questioned by law enforcement officers, but they have the right to invoke their Miranda rights and remain silent or request an attorney
• After booking, the suspect is typically held in custody until the initial appearance before a judge, which usually occurs within 48 hours of the arrest
• In some cases, the suspect may be released on citation or summons, requiring them to appear in court at a later date without being held in custody

Bail and Pretrial Release

• Bail is a financial guarantee that the defendant will appear for future court proceedings and not engage in criminal activity while released
• The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, ensuring that bail amounts are not unreasonably high
• Judges consider factors such as the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, and the risk of flight when setting bail
• Pretrial release options include release on personal recognizance (ROR), where the defendant promises to appear in court without posting bail
• Other pretrial release conditions may include electronic monitoring, travel restrictions, or drug testing
• Bail can be posted in the form of cash, property, or a surety bond secured through a bail bondsman
• If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates release conditions, the bail may be forfeited, and an arrest warrant issued

Arraignment and Plea Bargaining

• At the arraignment, the defendant appears before a judge, and the formal charges are read
• The defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest (nolo contendere)
  • A guilty plea means the defendant admits to committing the crime and waives their right to a trial
  • A not guilty plea means the defendant denies the charges and asserts their right to a trial
  • A no contest plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts the punishment as if found guilty
• Plea bargaining is a negotiation process between the prosecution and defense to resolve the case without going to trial
• Plea agreements may involve reducing charges, recommending a specific sentence, or dismissing some counts in exchange for a guilty plea
• Plea bargaining benefits both parties by saving time and resources, reducing trial uncertainty, and allowing for more lenient sentences
• The judge must review and approve any plea agreement to ensure it is voluntary, knowing, and fair

Discovery and Pretrial Motions

• Discovery is the exchange of evidence and information between the prosecution and defense
• The prosecution is required to disclose exculpatory evidence that may favor the defendant's case, as established in Brady v. Maryland
• Common types of evidence shared during discovery include police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence
• Pretrial motions are legal requests made by either party to the court before the trial begins
• Common pretrial motions include motions to suppress evidence (exclude illegally obtained evidence), motions to dismiss charges (insufficient evidence or legal basis), and motions for a change of venue (move the trial to another location)
• Motions in limine are pretrial motions that seek to exclude specific evidence from being presented at trial
• Pretrial hearings are held to argue and resolve pretrial motions, shaping the evidence and arguments allowed at trial

Jury Selection

• Jury selection, or voir dire, is the process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability to serve on the jury
• The jury pool is summoned from the local community using voter registration lists, driver's license records, or other sources
• The judge and attorneys question potential jurors about their backgrounds, beliefs, and potential biases
• Challenges for cause are used to remove jurors who have a demonstrable bias or cannot be impartial
• Each side is given a limited number of peremptory challenges, which allow them to remove jurors without stating a reason
• The goal of jury selection is to create an impartial jury that can fairly evaluate the evidence and apply the law
• In some cases, the defense may opt for a bench trial, where the judge decides the verdict instead of a jury

Trial Proceedings

• The trial begins with opening statements from the prosecution and defense, outlining their case and evidence
• The prosecution presents its case first, calling witnesses and introducing evidence
• The defense has the opportunity to cross-examine prosecution witnesses and challenge the evidence
• After the prosecution rests, the defense may present its case, calling witnesses and introducing evidence
• The prosecution has the opportunity to cross-examine defense witnesses
• Closing arguments are made by both sides, summarizing the evidence and arguing their case
• The judge instructs the jury on the applicable law and their duties as jurors
• The jury deliberates in private until reaching a unanimous verdict of guilty or not guilty
  • If the jury cannot reach a unanimous decision, a hung jury results in a mistrial
• If the defendant is found guilty, the judge determines the sentence based on sentencing guidelines and other factors

Post-Trial Procedures and Appeals

• After a guilty verdict, the defendant has the right to appeal the conviction or sentence to a higher court
• Common grounds for appeal include legal errors, ineffective assistance of counsel, or the discovery of new evidence
• The appeals process involves filing a notice of appeal, submitting briefs, and presenting oral arguments before an appellate court
• The appellate court may affirm the conviction, reverse the conviction, or order a new trial
• In some cases, the defendant may seek post-conviction relief through habeas corpus petitions, claiming violations of constitutional rights
• Sentencing hearings are held to determine the appropriate punishment for the convicted defendant
• Factors considered in sentencing include the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances
• Sentencing options may include imprisonment, probation, fines, restitution, or community service
• Parole is a conditional release from prison that allows the offender to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under supervision