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
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