What are the different stages of a criminal trial?

In Massachusetts, a criminal trial consists of four main stages: the arraignment, the pre-trial, the trial, and sentencing. At the arraignment, the defendant appears in court and usually enters a plea of either guilty or not guilty. After this point, the defendant has the right to hire an attorney if they haven’t done so already. The court also sets the defendant will appear in court when required.">bail amount and decides if the defendant can be released on their own recognizance. The pre-trial is when the prosecution and the defense lawyers negotiate. This is the time when legal issues are discussed, evidence is exchanged, and the possibility of a plea deal is explored. The trial is the final stage of the criminal trial. This is when the defense and prosecution put on their case for the jury. Both sides present evidence and witnesses, and lawyers deliver closing arguments. Finally, the sentencing stage takes place after the verdict is reached. The judge sentences the defendant according to the terms of the conviction. The sentence includes fines, community service, probation, or jail time depending on the crime committed. These are the steps that occur in the process of a criminal trial in Massachusetts.

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What are the different stages of a criminal trial?

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