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Select the correct step in Georgia's Criminal Justice System (hint: the steps are listed in order).

Remember: this is an OPEN NOTE Quiz!
(14 points)
Pretrial
- There is enough evidence that someone has committed
a crime serious enough to warrant being taken into custody (police detention).
- Law enforcement officers make an official arrest report
and hold the suspect in the local jail.
The suspect (a person thought to be guilty of a crime)
appears before a magistrate court judge to have the charges brought against them
explained and to determine if they are to be released on bail (the temporary release of
a prisoner in exchange for security given for the prisoner's appearance at a later
hearing).
5.
• - The magistrate judge determines if there was a crime
committed and if there is probable cause (a reasonable ground for supposing that a
charge is well-founded) that the suspect was involved with the crime.
- A group of citizens, called a grand jury, examines the
evidence in order to determine if the suspect should be charged with a crime. If they
do decide there is enough evidence, they issue what is called an indictment (a formal
charge of a serious crime).
Superior court judge reads charges and accused pleads
guilty or not guilty
7.
2.
5.
6.
• - The suspect has the opportunity to plead guilty. If they
plead guilty to the charge, the judge will sentence the individual and the case does
not go to trial. The suspect also has the choice of plea bargaining and admitting guilt
to a lesser offense. If the prosecutor agrees to the plea bargain, the suspect is
sentenced for the lesser offense and the case will also not go to trial.
Trial
• - Twelve jurors and at least one alternate are selected
to hear the case
- Once the trial begins, both attorneys are given the
opportunity to speak directly to the jury to explain what they hope to prove in the
case.
- During the case, witnesses are called to the stand to
give testimony. The prosecutor and defense attorney have the opportunity to cross-
examine the other side's witnesses.
- After all of the witnesses have had a chance to
speak, both attorneys present their final arguments in the case.
- After the closing arguments, the jury is asked to
discuss the case among themselves to determine if they think the defendant is guilty
or not. Once the jury makes their decision, they notify the judge. If the verdict is not
guilty, the defendant is released.
- If the jury finds the defendant guilty, the judge
sentences the defendant, telling him/her the amount of time he/she will spend in
prison and/or how much they owe in fines.
7.
• If the defendant maintains his or her innocence or if
there were mistakes made by the legal team or court in the case, the defendant appeal to the court of Appeals for review the case. If the court overturns the verdict,
the case goes back to the superior court for a new trial.

1 answer

Based on the ordered steps in Georgia's Criminal Justice System that you provided, here is the correct sequence in which the events occur in the pretrial and trial phases:

  1. Arrest and Police Detention: There is enough evidence that someone has committed a crime serious enough to warrant being taken into custody.

  2. Official Arrest Report: Law enforcement officers make an official arrest report and hold the suspect in the local jail.

  3. Initial Appearance: The suspect appears before a magistrate court judge to have the charges explained and to determine if they are to be released on bail.

  4. Probable Cause Determination: The magistrate judge determines if there was a crime committed and if there is probable cause that the suspect was involved with the crime.

  5. Grand Jury: A grand jury examines the evidence to determine if the suspect should be charged with a crime. If they find enough evidence, they issue an indictment.

  6. Arraignment: The superior court judge reads the charges, and the accused pleads guilty or not guilty.

  7. Plea Bargaining: The suspect has the opportunity to plead guilty. If they plead guilty or agree to a plea bargain, the case does not go to trial.

  8. Trial: If the case goes to trial, jurors are selected, and the trial procedures (arguments, witness testimonies, closing arguments) unfold.

  9. Verdict: After deliberation, the jury renders a verdict. If guilty, the judge imposes a sentence.

  10. Appeal: If the defendant maintains their innocence or there are concerns about the legal process, they can appeal the judgment.

This organized sequence reflects the progression through Georgia's Criminal Justice System, from arrest to potential appeal. If you need any specific step or more detailed info on any part, feel free to ask!