Chapter 13: Criminal Justice Process- Proceedings
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Transcript Chapter 13: Criminal Justice Process- Proceedings
Chapter 13: Criminal Justice
Process- Proceedings before the
Trial
Booking and Initial Appearance
Booking: Formal process for arrests
Provide personal information and info on any previous arrests
Fingerprinted and photographed
Can take DNA samples and writing samples
Initial Appearance: Judge informs accused of
charges and the rights of the accused, sets bail
Misdemeanor Appearance: enters plea
Felony Appearance: does not enter plea
Bail and Pretrial Release
The purpose of bail is to
ensure the defendant will
return for court
If the person does not return
to court the court keeps your
money
Bail Continued…
If the defendant doesn’t have money…
Bail bondsman (will post for you for a fee)
Personal recognizance (personal promise)
Must prove you are a low risk criminal.
Can require a third party to keep tabs…
Work a certain place
Live somewhere appointed
Or report to supervisor
What happens if the defendants commits crimes while released
on bail?
Problem: many defendants
commit crimes while out
on bail
Preventative
Detention:
accused may be held
without bail
Has to have good reason
that he or she may commit
another serious crime before
trial.
“You be the Judge” pg 159
Information
Information: details about the nature and
circumstances of the charge
Only uses prosecutors investigative evidence
No Grand Jury needed to hear evidence.
Only preliminary investigative evidence!
This is used in a…
Preliminary Hearing
Preliminary Hearing: Used in felony cases to
determine if there is enough evidence for the
defendant to stand trial ( if there is not enough
evidence the defendant can be released)
Both sides can call witnesses and present evidence
Grand Jury
Can be used in serious felony cases instead of a
preliminary hearing
16-23 people decide if there is sufficient evidence to
INDICT-formally charge – the defendant.
Only the prosecutor (no defendant, no defense
attorney)
Felony Arraignment and Pleas
Arraignment: used in felony cases, the defendant
enters their plea
If pleads guilty, judge sets date for sentencing
If pleads not guilty, judge sets date for trial and defendant
decides if they want a jury or bench trial (only a judge, no
jury)
If defendant pleads “no contest”, they are not admitting guilt
but do not contest the charges, the judge sets date for
sentencing.
Pretrial Motions: The Exclusionary Rule
Motion: a request that the court make a ruling or
take some action
1. Motion for Discovery of Evidence: request by
the defendant to examine certain evidences of the
prosecution before the trial
2. Motion for a Continuance: request for more
time to prepare the case
3. Motion for Change of Venue: request to
change trial location to avoid community hostility
4. Motion to Suppress Evidence: request that
certain evidence not be allowed to be presented
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH9ULbrrtn4
What is the exclusionary rule? (Remember from last
chapter?)
- Mapp v. Ohio (made the exclusionary rule apply
to state courts!)
Controversy with the Exclusionary Rule
Why do you think some people disagree with the
exclusionary rule?
Support:
Judicial Integrity: the courts should not be parties
to lawbreaking by police
Deterrence: police will be less likely to violate a
citizen’s rights if they know that illegally seized
evidence will be thrown out in court
Plea Bargaining
Most criminal never go to trial…their cases are
settled out of court because the defendant pleads
guilty before the trial
Plea Bargaining: the negotiation between the
prosecutor, defendant, and defendant’s attorney. In
exchange for a guilty plea, the prosecutor agrees to
charge the defendant with a lesser crime and usually
a lesser punishment
Plea Bargaining
Benefits:
Govt can avoid the time and expense of a trial
Defendant gets a ligher sentence
Controversies:
Allows dangerous criminals off the hook for their crimes
The govt should have to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
Defendants may plead guilty because of fear of conviction and esp.
poorer defendants that cannot afford a long trial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdsSR_WD2Ks
“The Power of Plea Bargaining” – p. 165