Criminal Justice Process Analysis

The American Criminal Justice Process is designed to keep people safe and ensure suspects and criminals are treated in such a way that follows the Constitution accordingly. The federal justice system carries out this process through a list of steps:

Investigation: To first start off the process of criminal justice, a crime is reported and evidence is gathered from the crime scene to help investigators reconstruct and determine what exactly happened. They will also start to establish a list of possible suspects for the crime committed.
Warrant: Since the fourth amendment protects people from unreasonable searches or seizures by police, an arrest warrant is required for law enforcement to proceed with the apprehension of a suspect if there is probable cause. An arrest warrant is
issued by a neutral judge to confirm that the evidence links the suspect to a crime.
Arrest: Once the warrant is issued by a judge, the suspect is arrested and their freedom is limited. During this step, and before the interrogation process, the defendant is informed of their Miranda rights.
Booking: The booking procedure is where a defendant's personal information is recorded such as their fingerprint, picture, and sometimes DNA.
A record is also kept of the nature of the crime along with information on the arrest and the events leading up to it.
First Appearance: A first appearance is where the suspect is brought before a judge or magistrate within hours of arrest. The suspect is then notified of the charges placed against them along with their rights. Sometimes, if approved by the judge, the suspect will also be given the opportunity for bail.
Preliminary Hearing: This hearing is where the evidence against the accused is determined if it is applicable enough to continue the criminal justice process and if there is probable cause. The prosecutor is also given a chance to determine however strong the evidence against the accused is.
Information or Indictment: In certain states, if the prosecutor wants to continue the case against the defendant, they can file written charges called "Information" with the court. An Indictment from a grand jury may be required in other states. The grand jury contemplates the evidence and decides whether or not the case should go to
trial.
Arraignment: During an arraignment, the accused stands before a judge and is presented with the information or indictment against him or her. Again, they are notified of their rights and are asked to answer a plea: guilty, not guilty, or no contest. No contest is a substitute to pleading guilty or not guilty. Basically, it means that you admit the facts presented are true, but you don't admit your guilt.
Adjudication: In this step, the defendant either pleads guilty or a criminal trial is held. In a criminal trial, the prosecution and defense are in a position for debating based off of evidence and witnesses. A jury considers the evidence to decide a verdict, while the judge maintains order and guarantees fairness.
Sentencing: After a verdict is placed and the defendant is convicted, the judge decides an acceptable punishment. A sentencing hearing is sometimes held beforehand to give the prosecuting and defending attorney an opportunity to alter the judge's final decision.
Corrections: After a punishment is given, correctional services are then put into place to serve as custodians during an inmates incarceration. While incarcerated, corrections can also serve as a way to identify an inmates program needs for education and treatment.