Ask the DA: From arrest to grand jury
A friend recently had the unfortunate experience of being a victim of a crime. The individual who stole the property was arrested and we are not sure what exactly happens at this point.
A criminal case usually starts with a persons arrest by the police. After the arrest, basic personal information is gathered, and the person is fingerprinted and photographed. The person is then brought before a Criminal Court judge to be arraigned on the charges he or she is accused of committing.
At arraignment, the prosecution officially begins. The accused person, now called the defendant, is told about the pending criminal charges. He or she enters a plea of guilty or not guilty. If a not guilty plea is entered, the judge decides if the defendant will be released on bail. Also, the judge will assign a lawyer to represent the defendant if he or she cannot afford one.