How is the outcome of a criminal case determined?

In Indiana, the outcome of a criminal case is determined typically by either a trial or a plea bargain. A trial is when the defendant and the prosecuting attorney present their respective cases in court before a judge and/or jury. The judge or jury will then determine if the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the crime they are accused of. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge will then decide the appropriate sentence. A plea bargain is when the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser crime or to one of the charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or for a dismissal of the other charges. The plea bargain is made between the defendant and the prosecuting attorney, and then presented to the judge to approve or deny. In either case, the outcome of a criminal case is ultimately determined by the judge in the courtroom. The judge will take into consideration the evidence presented by both sides, witness testimony (if applicable), and the legal argument presented. It is up to the judge to decide the facts of the case and the appropriate sentence.

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How is the outcome of a criminal case determined?

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