What is the process of a criminal trial?

In Kansas, the process for a criminal trial is similar to that of many other states in the US. The process begins when a person is arrested or cited for a crime. From there, the prosecuting attorney reviews the evidence and decides whether there is enough to proceed with criminal charges. If so, they file a formal complaint in court and the case is assigned a date for arraignment. During the arraignment, the defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the charge. If the plea is not guilty, the case moves on to the pre-trial phase. At this point, the defense attorney will examine the evidence and the charges, as well as any possible defenses, and negotiate a plea bargain if one is attainable. If not, the case will continue to trial. At trial, the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. During this phase, both the prosecution and defense teams present evidence, witness testimonies, and closing arguments on the case. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury must decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. If found guilty, the defendant will be sentenced according to state law.

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What is the process of a criminal trial?

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