What is the process of a criminal trial?

In Massachusetts, criminal trials involve multiple steps, beginning with the arraignment and ending with the verdict. The arraignment is the first step in the trial process, during which the accused is brought before a judge and informed of the criminal charges they face. At the arraignment, the accused will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. After the plea is entered, the trial process will begin. The next step is the pretrial conference, which is a meeting between the defense lawyer, the prosecutor, and the judge to discuss potential plea agreements. If an agreement can’t be reached, a trial will be scheduled. The trial itself is the next step in the process. At the trial, the prosecutor and the defense attorney present their sides of the story and the jury listens to the evidence. After both sides present their cases, the jury deliberates on a verdict. The last step in the criminal trial process is the verdict. The jury decides whether the accused is guilty or not guilty of the crime. If the verdict is guilty, the judge will then sentence the accused to a period of punishment. If the verdict is not guilty, the accused goes free. The criminal trial process in Massachusetts is designed to ensure that the accused receives a fair trial. Throughout the trial, both sides have the opportunity to present their case and the jury listens to the evidence. In the end, a verdict is reached based on the evidence presented.

Related FAQs

What is the process of plea-bargaining in criminal cases?
What is the difference between a direct and an indirect concurrent sentence?
What is the difference between a grand jury and a petit jury?
What is the process of a jury trial in criminal cases?
What is the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?
What is the impact of the Double Jeopardy Clause on criminal prosecutions?
What are the rights of victims in criminal cases?
What is the process of a criminal trial?
What is the purpose of a criminal investigation?
What are the rules on evidence-gathering in criminal cases?

What is the process of a criminal trial?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts