Criminal justice refers to the system used by the government to maintain social control, enforce laws and administer justice. The criminal justice process varies from state to state and involves the following steps: investigation, search warrant, interrogation, arrest, complaint, information or indictment, arraignment, bail, plea negotiations, trial, verdict and appeal.
The first step is the investigation by the police on receipt of a complaint from a victim. The police officers then report the crime. Next step is the issue of search warrant to the investigating officers. For this the police must mention the evidences regarding crime to the judge.
Next come interrogation by the police, which involves questioning of the suspects and witnesses. After this, the police may arrest any suspect. This arrest can be made at any public place with or without an arrest warrant. Within a specified period, the law enforcement officials should either charge a crime on the suspect or release the suspect.
Law enforcement officers can file a written complaint, which starts the criminal justice process in motion. The next step is the arraignment process, when a preliminary hearing is done in an open court. The charges are read to the accused person by the judge and the defendant is asked to plea guilty or not guilty.
Bail is the next step. Bail refers to money or property that an accused person puts forth as security. Bail can be paid in the form of cash or as a bail bond or a pledge property if the court permits. This is followed by plea negotiation, which includes a plea bargain. It refers to the accused pleading guilty to lesser charges than those in the complaint or information or a guilty plea to any one of the numerous charges.
Then comes the trial, followed by the verdict. If a plea agreement is not reached, the proceedings move towards the trial step. When the jury reaches a verdict, their finding is read to the defendant in an open court.
The last step is the appeal made by the defendant. The defendant is entitled to an appeal to one level of appellate court.
Criminal Justice provides detailed information on Criminal Justice, Online Criminal Justice Courses, Masters Degree In Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Careers and more. Criminal Justice is affiliated with Criminal Records Online.
Source: www.isnare.com
