What are the different stages of a criminal trial?

A criminal trial in Mississippi is broken up into several different stages. These stages are designed to ensure that the accused has a fair chance to prove their innocence, as well as providing the opportunity for the prosecution to present their case. The first stage of a criminal trial is the arraignment. During this stage, the accused is informed of the charges against them and asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. The plea of guilty allows the court to proceed to sentencing, while a plea of not guilty advances the case to the next stage. The next stage of a criminal trial is called the pretrial. During this stage, both parties discuss any potential plea bargains or possible dismissals, and the defense is able to prepare their case. The third stage is the actual trial itself. This is where both parties present their evidence and witnesses, and the jury is chosen. The jury will then decide the guilt or innocence of the accused. The fourth stage is sentencing. If the accused is found guilty, the judge will determine the punishment according to the law. This may be anything from probation, to incarceration in a correctional facility, to a fine. Finally, the accused has the right to appeal the verdict of the trial if they feel that the legal process was not fair or that their rights were violated in any way. An appeal will go through a different court system and the outcome may be overturned or reduced.

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What are the different stages of a criminal trial?

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