Navigating the Criminal Court System

Navigating the CRIMINAL COURT System CRIMINAL CASE TIMELINE These steps occur after arrest: 1. CASE ASSIGNED T0 FEDERAL OR STATE COURT Based on type of crime Federal court for violations of federal laws • Violent crimes with multi-state victims, white-collar crimes State court for violations of state laws • Robbery, burglary, DUI, violent crimes in one state 2. DEFENDANT OBTAINS A LAWYER Private attorney or court-appointed Depends on the defendant's financial position 3. ARRAIGNMENT/BAIL HEARING Charges read at arraignment Plea entered: guilty, not guilty, no contest Bail negotiated and set Trial date set (sentencing date if guilty/no contest plea) Plea negotiations may take place before hearing 4. TRIAL PREP Defense and prosecution prep witnesses and gather evidence Plea negotiations are ongoing 90%+ criminal cases end in plea bargain Defendant may be out on bail or incarcerated during this time • Depends en nature of charges 5. TRIAL Jury selected Defense and prosecution present witnesses and argue case Jury deliberates and delivers verdict Sentencing 6. APPEAL Guilty verdicts may be appealed Federal courts hear appeals on basis of legal errors in trial State guidelines for appeals vary SOURCES: http://www.uscourts.gov/EducationalResources/FederalCourtBa- sics/CourtStructure/UnderstandingFederalAndStateCourts.aspx http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/UnderstandingtheFed- eralCourts/HowCourtsWork/CriminalCases.aspx http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/criminal-law.html http://www.fjc.gov/federal/courts.nsf/autoframe?Open- Form&nav=menu2b&page=/federal/courts.nsf/page/CCA93B3B8 7C844BC85256C7900460860?opendocument http://corporate.findlaw.com/litigation-disputes/federal-crim- inal-appeals-10-things-you-should-know.html INFOGRAPHIC PROVIDED BY LAW OFFICES OF JCG JEFFREY C. GRASS DALLAS STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY Navigating the CRIMINAL COURT System CRIMINAL CASE TIMELINE These steps occur after arrest: 1. CASE ASSIGNED T0 FEDERAL OR STATE COURT Based on type of crime Federal court for violations of federal laws • Violent crimes with multi-state victims, white-collar crimes State court for violations of state laws • Robbery, burglary, DUI, violent crimes in one state 2. DEFENDANT OBTAINS A LAWYER Private attorney or court-appointed Depends on the defendant's financial position 3. ARRAIGNMENT/BAIL HEARING Charges read at arraignment Plea entered: guilty, not guilty, no contest Bail negotiated and set Trial date set (sentencing date if guilty/no contest plea) Plea negotiations may take place before hearing 4. TRIAL PREP Defense and prosecution prep witnesses and gather evidence Plea negotiations are ongoing 90%+ criminal cases end in plea bargain Defendant may be out on bail or incarcerated during this time • Depends en nature of charges 5. TRIAL Jury selected Defense and prosecution present witnesses and argue case Jury deliberates and delivers verdict Sentencing 6. APPEAL Guilty verdicts may be appealed Federal courts hear appeals on basis of legal errors in trial State guidelines for appeals vary SOURCES: http://www.uscourts.gov/EducationalResources/FederalCourtBa- sics/CourtStructure/UnderstandingFederalAndStateCourts.aspx http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/UnderstandingtheFed- eralCourts/HowCourtsWork/CriminalCases.aspx http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/criminal-law.html http://www.fjc.gov/federal/courts.nsf/autoframe?Open- Form&nav=menu2b&page=/federal/courts.nsf/page/CCA93B3B8 7C844BC85256C7900460860?opendocument http://corporate.findlaw.com/litigation-disputes/federal-crim- inal-appeals-10-things-you-should-know.html INFOGRAPHIC PROVIDED BY LAW OFFICES OF JCG JEFFREY C. GRASS DALLAS STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY