Criminal Law

Arrest Process

• Arrest
  • Requires probable cause
• First appearance
  • Must happen within 48 hours of arrest
  • Checks for probable cause and tells the defendant what he is charged with
• Information/Indictment
• Preliminary Hearing
• Arraignment
  • Force the defendant to enter a formal plea of guilty/not guilty unless defendant waives right, in which case the judge will usually enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf
• Discovery
• Trial