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The Criminal Justice Process

The Criminal Justice Process. A guide for victims in felony cases. What happens now?. We are sorry that you have become a victim of crime. This slideshow will describe the criminal justice process and help you understand how you can become involved in the system. Step 1: Crime Reporting.

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The Criminal Justice Process

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  1. The Criminal Justice Process A guide for victims in felony cases

  2. What happens now? We are sorry that you have become a victim of crime. This slideshow will describe the criminal justice process and help you understand how you can become involved in the system.

  3. Step 1: Crime Reporting • The first step in the criminal justice process is to report the crime. A law enforcement officer will take a report from you and witnesses about what happened. Depending on the crime and the evidence, there may be an arrest.

  4. Step 2: Investigation • The officer may need to do further investigation. He or she may speak with additional witnesses or obtain further evidence. You may be asked to provide a written or an oral statement.

  5. Step 3: Report is sent to the prosecutor’s office • Once the report is completed, it is forwarded to the prosecuting attorney’s office for review.

  6. Step 4: Charging decision • The prosecuting attorney or deputy prosecuting attorney reviews the report. He or she may request further information, decide not to charge, or charge an individual with breaking the law.

  7. Step 5: Charges are filed • If the prosecutor decides to file charges, the defendant will be informed of the charges and brought before the court. If the defendant is not in custody, a letter may be sent telling him/her to appear or a warrant may be issued for his/her arrest. You will receive a copy of the charging document from the Victim/Witness Unit once charges have been filed.

  8. Step 6: Arraignment • The defendant’s first appearance in court is called the arraignment. At this time, the defendant will be informed of the charges and his/her rights and have an attorney appointed if necessary.

  9. Step 7: Continued Arraignment • At the continued arraignment, the defendant will enter his/her plea – guilty or not guilty. If he/she pleads not guilty, further hearing dates will be set at that time. You will receive a copy of all hearing schedules from the Victim/Witness Unit. You can attend all hearings the defendant attends.Hearing dates are subject to change.

  10. Step 8: Interviews • The defense attorney may wish to interview you. This can happen anytime up until trial. The Victim/Witness Unit will gladly set up an interview for the defense attorney or investigator. You may tell them to contact the prosecutor’s office if they contact you directly. Request a copy of our “Interviews in Criminal Cases” brochure!

  11. Step 9: Pre-trial Conference • At the pre-trial conference, the defense attorney and prosecuting attorney report on the progress of their cases and request further information that they need from the other attorney.

  12. Step 10: 3.5/3.6 hearings • These hearings are requests made to suppress evidence. A 3.5 hearing is to suppress statements by the defendant. A 3.6 hearing is to suppress physical evidence. These hearings are not always necessary.

  13. Step 11: Trial Run • Trial runs are generally on Tuesdays. The attorneys determine whether or not they are ready to proceed to trial. If they are ready to proceed to trial, they are placed on a waiting list ranked by outside date. The case or cases with the closest outside date will go to trial. The other cases will be continued, usually for one week.

  14. Step 12: Trial • If a defendant does not change his/her plea, the case will go to trial. The trial can be a jury trial or a bench trial – heard by a judge only. You may be required to testify at trial. If so, you will not be allowed in the courtroom until after testifying.

  15. Step 13: Verdict • After the evidence is presented at trial, the jury or judge deliberates and makes a verdict – guilty or not guilty – on each count. If the defendant is found not guilty on all counts, the case is over.

  16. Step 14: Sentencing • If the defendant is found guilty on one or more counts, the case will proceed to sentencing. Sentences are given within a standard range based on the crime and the defendant’s criminal history. You have the right to make a Victim Impact Statement at sentencing.

  17. Step 15: Restitution • If you have had a financial loss because of the crime, you have a right to restitution. Restitution can be ordered at sentencing or at a restitution hearing within 180 days from the date of sentencing.

  18. Questions? • If you have any questions regarding the criminal justice process or your case in particular, do not hesitate to contact the Victim/Witness Unit. We will be happy to assist you!

  19. Grant CountyVictim/Witness Unit PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE PO BOX 37 EPHRATA, WA 98823 (509) 754-2011 EXT. 462 1-800-572-0119 (IN WA) (509) 754-3449 (FAX) VICTIMS@CO.GRANT.WA.US WWW.GCVWU.COM

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