- booking: The process of taking a suspect into custody, recording their information, and taking their photograph and fingerprints.
- arrangement: The formal reading of the charges against the suspect in court and the opportunity for the suspect to enter a plea.
- plea bargaining: Negotiations between the prosecution and the defense for the suspect to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
- arrest: The act of taking a suspect into custody by law enforcement.
- grand jury indictment: A formal charging document issued by a grand jury after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution.
- initial appearance: The suspect's first appearance before a magistrate judge to hear the charges against them and have bail set.
- preliminary hearing: A hearing before a magistrate judge to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial.