Question

a criminal case
criminal cases follow somewhat different proce-
dures from civil ones. in a criminal case, the state or
the united states is actually a party to the proceed-
ing. it acts in the interest of protecting society. in
gerious offenses, the defendant risks the loss of lib-
erty through imprisonment.
criminal investigation
when a crime is first reported, the police conduct
an investigation. they may obtain a search warrant
from a judge to search places they have good rea-
son to believe may provide important evidence.
they will interview witnesses and possible
suspects.
the arrest
as a result of their investigation, the police may
arrest a suspect if they have \probable cause\ to
believe this person committed the crime. the police
cannot obtain a confession without first informing
the suspect of his or her rights. among these are the
right to remain silent and the right to have an attor-
ney present during questioning.
an informal hearing is held to decide whether there
is \probable cause\ to keep the suspect in custody. a
person being charged with a capital crime (punish-
able by death) must be indicted (officially charged) by
a grand jury—a group of 15 to 21 citizens in florida
state courts (and 16 to 23 citizens in federal courts).
arraignment
if there are sufficient grounds to hold the suspect, the
suspect is arraigned, or charged, in open court. the
suspect is asked to plead \guilty\ or
ot guilty\ to the
charges. then the court sets bail. this is an amount to
be paid by the defendant to ensure that he or she will
appear at trial. if bail is paid, the defendant is released
until trial. if no bail is set or paid, the defendant must
remain in jail until trial.
plea-bargaining
the defendant may enter into negotiations with the
district attorney before trial. this process is known
as plea-bargaining. the defendant may admit to a
lesser crime if the charges against the defendant are
dropped. if no plea bargain is made, the case goes to
trial.
the trial
in florida, if a defendant could go to prison for six
months or more, the defendant has the right to a
jury trial. in criminal cases, the state (or the \peo-
ple\) is always against the defendant.
as in civil cases, both sides—the state and the
defendant—have the right to strike off (dismiss)
potential jurors during jury selection.
once the case goes to trial, an attorney—present from the
district attorney’s office—the prosecutor—presents the
state’s case against the accused. very special
sum up each of these paragraphs up
218 chapter 9 | the rule of law

Explanation:

• Criminal Cases (Intro): Criminal cases in the US differ from civil ones; the state acts to protect society, and defendants risk imprisonment for serious offenses.
• Criminal Investigation: When a crime is reported, police investigate, obtain search warrants, and interview witnesses/suspects.
• The Arrest: After investigation, police arrest suspects with probable cause, must inform of rights, and a hearing determines probable cause; capital crime suspects need grand jury indictment.
• Arraignment: If grounds exist, suspects are arraigned in court, plead, and bail is set (or not) to ensure trial attendance.
• Plea - Bargaining: Defendants negotiate with district attorneys before trial; they may admit to a lesser crime for dropped charges, else go to trial.
• The Trial: In Florida, long - term prison - facing defendants get jury trials; the state prosecutes, and both sides strike jurors; the prosecutor presents the state’s case.

Answer:

• Criminal Cases (Intro): Criminal cases differ from civil; state acts to protect society, defendants risk imprisonment.
• Criminal Investigation: Police investigate reported crimes, get warrants, interview witnesses/suspects.
• The Arrest: Police arrest with probable cause, inform rights; hearing for custody, capital crime needs grand jury indictment.
• Arraignment: Suspects arraigned, plead, bail set (or not) for trial attendance.
• Plea - Bargaining: Defendants negotiate with DAs, may admit lesser crime for dropped charges, else trial.
• The Trial: Florida: long - term prison defendants get jury trials; state prosecutes, both sides strike jurors; prosecutor presents case.