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Bell Ringer

Learn the steps in criminal court proceedings from arrest to sentencing. Explore the role of grand juries, trial, plea bargaining, and sentencing in the criminal justice system. Comprehend the significance of evidence and witness testimonies.

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Bell Ringer

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  1. Bell Ringer • Which of the five types of crimes are shown in the pie chart?

  2. The Criminal Justice System Chapter 20, Section 2

  3. By the end of today’s lesson, you should be able to: • Describe the steps in criminal court proceedings.

  4. Sequence of Events in the Criminal Justice System • Arrest • Preliminary or Initial Hearing • Grand Jury • Pretrial Motions • Plea Bargaining or Trial • Sentencing

  5. #1 - Arrest • Arrest: taken into police custody • To arrest Jack the police must either have: • Probable Cause: a good reason to believe that a suspect has committed a crime • Warrant: legal paper that is issued by a court giving people permission to make an arrest, seizure, or search • Miranda rights

  6. #2 – Preliminary or Initial Hearing • Suspect appears before a judge • Suspect is known as the defendant • Prosecutor convince the judge that there is enough evidence to continue with the case or the judge will dismiss the case and set the defendant free • Suspect enters a plea of guilty or not guilty • Bail is set • Bail: money that a defendant gives the court as a kind of promise that he or she will return for the trial

  7. #3 – Grand Jury • Constitution requires that in cases involving serious federal crimes (felonies) that a grand jury is used. • States use grand juries too • Grand Jury is a group of 16-23 citizens that decide whether there is probable cause to believe a defendant committed the crime. • If they believe there is probable cause, the grand jury issues an indictment: a formal charge against the accused • The grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence! • If indicted, the defendant is formally charged at an arraignment.

  8. #4 – Pretrial Motion • Evidence hearings • Illegally obtained evidence is thrown out • Admissions of guilt made under duress or by coercion can’t be used • Defendant must have been notified of all Miranda rights • If evidence or confessions are thrown out, the prosecutor may have to drop the charges against the defendant due to lack of sufficient evidence.

  9. #5 – Plea Bargaining • Most cases never go to trial because of plea bargaining. • Plea Bargain: accused person pleads guilty but to a lesser charge or lighter sentence • Defendant gets less time in jail • Government saves the cost of a trial and is guaranteed some punishment for the defendant

  10. #5 - Trial • Constitution requires that trials be speedy, public, have a jury, defendant has right to call witnesses, defendant has an attorney, and that the defendant not be required to testify

  11. Trial Sequence • Jury Selection – both the prosecutor and the defense attorney can eliminate jurors they believe would be biased in some way • Opening Statements • Witnesses questioned by both attorneys • Closing Statements • Jury Deliberation • Outcome Announced

  12. Hung Jury: jury can’t agree on the verdict which results in a mistrial; the accused can be tried again. Acquittal: Jury votes not guilty because they were not convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime Guilty Verdict: Sentencing trial will determine the punishment. Possible Outcomes in a Criminal Trial

  13. #6 - Sentencing • If the jury rules the defendant is guilty, there will be a sentencing hearing to decide how long the defendant will be punished. • Law generally sets maximum and minimum sentences for crimes • Judge can make considerations for age, attitude, and prior criminal record

  14. Penalties for Crime • Punished more severely for felonies than misdemeanors • Penalties serves the purpose of punishment the criminal, protecting society, and to keep others from committing the same crime. • Federal Law has a 3 strikes you’re out sentencing.

  15. Correctional Institutions • Jails are ran by cities and counties. • Prisons are ran by both the state and federal government. • Parole: letting an inmate go free to serve the rest of his or her sentence outside of prison • Lack of $ for prisons

  16. Comprehension Check • What is an indictment? • A formal charge against a person accused of a crime

  17. Comprehension Check • Why would a defendant plead guilty? • To get a lighter sentence or lesser charge

  18. Comprehension Check • What type of cases does the Constitution require a grand jury hear? • Serious federal crimes

  19. Comprehension Check • At which step does the judge decide whether to try the defendant? • Initial Hearing (Preliminary Hearing)

  20. Comprehension Check • Why do judges set bail? • To ensure the defendant will return for the trial

  21. Comprehension Check • What happens if a judge decides that evidence can not be used in a trial? • The prosecutor might have to drop charges against the accused

  22. Comprehension Check • What are the requirements for an arrest? • Probable Cause or a Warrant

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