Ordering. The criminal justice system varies from state to state and from the state to federal level; however, the criminal justice process generally includes the following stages. Place these in the correct order. (10 points)

Question

Indictment - An indictment is a formal charge brought by a grand jury or filed by a prosecutor. An indictment is required for capital offenses. The grand jury only hears evidence presented by the prosecutor. The grand jury determines whether there is sufficient evidence
to formally charge the defendant.
Verdict - The verdict is a decision of guilt or innocence. If a defendant is found guilty, it must be 'beyond a reasonable doubt', meaning that the judge or jury is 100% certain that the = evidence supports a verdict of guilty. If there are multiple charges, the judge or jury may find
the defendant guilty on all or some of the charges or may find the defendant guilty of a lesser charge.
Sentencing - The sentencing is determined by the judge. Possible sentences include: a fine, = community service, probation, or a period of incarceration in a jail or prison, or a combination
of the above.
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Arrest - An arrest is when police take a suspect into custody until he or she can be brought
before the court. There must be probable cause for a suspect to be arrested.
Bail - Depending on the crime the defendant is charged with, a judge has the option of granting bail. Bail is money or property that a defendant puts forth as security to make sure
= they will show up for further criminal proceedings such as trial and sentencing. If the crime is
serious or if the judge believes that the defendant may flee out of the court's jurisdiction, bail may be denied or set so high that it would be impossible to post bail.
Arraignment - A judge conducts arraignments; this occurs before trial. The defendant makes
his or her plea. The most common pleas are guilty or not guilty. Appeal - A defendant found guilty of charges has the right to appeal the verdict to an = appellate court. The defendant files an appeal in the hopes that he or she will have the verdict
reversed or be granted a new trial.
Plea bargain - Plea bargains usually involve the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge, = fewer charges than originally charged with in an indictment, or a reduced statement. Plea
bargaining helps both the prosecution and defense avoid a potentially long, expensive trial.
=
Investigation - Police investigate a crime to gather evidence to identify a suspect and
support an arrest.
Trial - A trial is held before a judge or a jury. The defendant has the choice whether he or she
= wants a trial by a jury of peers or before a judge alone, called a bench trial. Evidence is
presented by both the prosecution and the defense.

Answer 1

The correct order of the stages in the criminal justice process is as follows:

1. Investigation - Police investigate a crime to gather evidence to identify a suspect and support an arrest.
2. Arrest - An arrest is when police take a suspect into custody until he or she can be brought before the court. There must be probable cause for a suspect to be arrested.
3. Bail - Depending on the crime the defendant is charged with, a judge has the option of granting bail.
4. Indictment - An indictment is a formal charge brought by a grand jury or filed by a prosecutor, required for capital offenses.
5. Arraignment - A judge conducts arraignments where the defendant makes his or her plea (guilty or not guilty).
6. Plea bargain - Plea bargains usually involve the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge or fewer charges.
7. Trial - A trial is held where evidence is presented by both the prosecution and defense.
8. Verdict - The verdict is a decision of guilt or innocence determined by a judge or jury.
9. Sentencing - The sentencing is determined by the judge based on the verdict.
10. Appeal - A defendant found guilty has the right to appeal the verdict to an appellate court.

This sequence outlines the general flow of the criminal justice process from the initial investigation through to the possibility of an appeal after sentencing.