PROCEDURE

I. A crime is committed.

II. The victim fills out a complaint report.

III. The investigation begins; law enforcement gathers evidence.

IV. Law enforcement arrests an alleged perpetrator.

V. The alleged perpetrator is arraigned.

VI. A bail hearing is held.

VII. The grand jury returns an indictment.

VIII. Discovery takes place in which documents and materials are gathered by both prosecutor and defender.

IX. Pretrial hearings are held to determine whether evidence should be suppressed.

X. The trial occurs.

A. Jury selection.

B. Opening statements.

1. The prosecutor outlines the state’s case.

2. The defense attorney addresses the jury, if desired.

C. The prosecutor’s case.

1. Testimony of witnesses.

    a) Direct examination.

    b) Cross-examination.

    c) Redirect examination.

    d) Recross-examination.

    e) Redirect.

    f) Recross, etc.

D. The defense’s case, if desired.

1. Testimony of witnesses.

    a) Direct examination.

    b) Cross-examination.

    c) Redirect examination.

    d) Recross-examination.

    e) Redirect.

    f) Recross, etc.

E. Summations.

F. Judge’s charge to the jury.

G. Jury deliberations.

H. The verdict.

If found guilty, the judge’s sentence is pronounced. An appeal may be made to a higher court, the appellate court, to overturn the verdict or reduce the sentence.