What happens after a criminal trial is complete?

Once a criminal trial is complete, the jury or judge, depending on trial type, comes to an outcome or verdict. The outcome of the trial can be not guilty, guilty, or a hung jury. If the verdict is not guilty, then the criminal charges against the defendant will be dismissed, and the defendant cannot be found guilty or sentenced for the crime in the future. The defendant will also be released from custody if they’re being held by the police. If the verdict is guilty, the defendant will be sentence based on Delaware’s criminal law and the judge’s discretion. The sentence may include a fine, probation, jail and/or prison time. It ultimately depends on the severity of the crime and the judge’s ruling. If the jury is hung, meaning that they could not come to a consensus, the prosecutor can it retry the case. The defendant can also choose to enter a plea bargain if the prosecutor agrees. Once the trial is over, the defendant may appeal the verdict and sentence if they believe the conviction was made in error. The defendant or their attorney will file an appeal with the court and the decision will then be made by a higher court. Finally, the defendant will likely be released from custody if they are still being detained, and their criminal record will be updated with the verdict and any sentence.

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What happens after a criminal trial is complete?

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