What is criminal procedure?

Criminal procedure is the body of law that governs how the criminal justice system works. It outlines the steps that must be taken when someone is suspected of committing a crime. In Maine, criminal procedure is governed by the Maine Revised Statutes. The criminal process usually begins when a person is arrested for a crime. After an arrest, the case is brought to court where a judge will issue a decision on whether the accused should be formally charged with a crime. This decision is based on evidence presented by the prosecutor and defense attorney. Once a person is charged, they enter the court system and go through a series of hearings and proceedings. This includes a pretrial conference, preliminary hearing, arraignment, and trial. At each step in the process, the rights of the accused are protected by the Constitution. If the person is found guilty of a crime, the court may order punishments such as fines, community service, probation, or jail time. If the accused is found not guilty, the court will dismiss the charges and the accused will be free to go. Criminal procedure is an important part of the criminal justice system. It ensures that a person accused of a crime is treated fairly and given due process under the law.

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What is criminal procedure?

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