What is criminal procedure?

Criminal procedure is the process that the government uses in order to investigate, charge, and try someone accused of a crime. It outlines the rights of the accused and the stages of a criminal case. In the state of South Carolina, criminal procedure follows the laws outlined in the South Carolina Code of Laws. Criminal procedure begins when the police have enough evidence to believe someone committed a crime. The police may then make an arrest or obtain an arrest warrant. At this point, the accused must be read their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. After the arrest, the defendant’s case is presented to a grand jury. If the grand jury decides that there is enough evidence for a case to go to trial, the accused will be indicted and the trial process begins. During the trial, both the prosecution and defense are allowed to present evidence and call witnesses in order to make their case. After hearing all the evidence, the jury or judge will decide if the accused is guilty or innocent. If the accused is found guilty, the judge will then sentence them accordingly. Criminal procedure is very important when it comes to protecting the rights of those accused of crimes, as well as providing a fair and just trial for the accused. Without it, the public would be left in the dark as to how crimes are prosecuted and sentenced.

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What is criminal procedure?

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