What are the different stages of criminal procedure?

Criminal procedure is the process of how a criminal case is handled in Texas. This includes how evidence is collected, how the accused is charged, and how the defendant is tried. It is important to understand the stages of criminal procedure in order to have a better understanding of the Texas legal system. The first stage of criminal procedure is the investigation. During this stage, the police and other law enforcement agencies conduct an inquiry into the alleged crime. This may include interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and other forms of investigation. The second stage is the arrest and arraignment. During this stage, the police will arrest the suspect and present charges against them. Then, the suspect will be arraigned in court, where they will enter a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty.” The third stage is the preliminary hearing. During this hearing, the defendant’s attorney will present the case to the court and the prosecutor. The court will then decide whether or not the evidence presented is enough for the accused to stand trial. The fourth stage is the trial. This is the stage where the defendant is actually tried and the jury will hear all the evidence presented. The jury will then determine if the defendant is innocent or guilty. The fifth and final stage is the sentencing. This is where the court will decide what the accused must do to make up for their crime. Depending on the severity of the crime, the court can decide to punish the defendant with a jail sentence or in some cases, a fine or community service. These are the five stages of criminal procedure in Texas. It is important to understand these stages in order to have a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works.

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