HOW DOES THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORK?
First, an Assistant Prosecutor reviews the police report and decides whether to charge the defendant with a crime. The victim may meet with a Victim Advocate. If a defendant is charged, they next appear in front of a judge for an arraignment. At the arraignment, the defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty. The judge will then set the bond amount and any conditions at the arraignment. If this is a felony case, there will be a preliminary examination date set. The next time the defendant comes to court will be for a pretrial or preliminary conference with an Assistant Prosecutor. They will discuss the facts of the case and any legal issues. The defendant may enter a plea or the case will be set for trial. A trial can be either by jury or in front of a judge. WHY WERE CHARGES FILED? Domestic Violence is a crime. The Prosecutor’s Office files criminal complaints against individuals who commit crimes. Typically, we evaluate the crime report, the batterer’s criminal history, photogra
