Procedurally, what is the difference between the misdemeanor and felony process?
When someone is arrested, the criminal process will vary, depending upon whether they are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. A misdemeanor case is one where the maximum punishment is six months in county jail, a fine, or a combination of jail and a fine. In a felony case, the punishment is usually much more severe, and can include confinement in the Arizona State Prison, or in some extremely serious cases, death. In a misdemeanor case, the first appearance is called the arraignment. The main purpose of the arraignment is for the accused to enter a plea. If the accused pleads not guilty, the case is scheduled for a pretrial conference and at some point trial. A conviction requires six jurors to unanimously agree that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In felony cases, the first appearance is the initial appearance. Next, the case is set for a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is held in front of a judge (not a jury), where the judge listens to the testimony o
