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
1. ________-There is enough evidence that someone has
committed a crime serious enough to warrant being taken into custody (police
detention).
2. ___________- Law enforcement officers make an official arrest
report and hold the suspect in the local jail.
3. __________-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).
4. ___________- 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
5.__________- 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).
6._________ Superior court judge reads charges and accused
pleads guilty or not guilty
7.__________ 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
1.____________-Twelve jurors and at least one alternate are selected to hear the case
2._____________- 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.
3.__________-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.
4._________- After all of the witnesses have had a chance
to speak, both attorneys present their final arguments in the case.
5.____________- 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.
6._________________- 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. Arrest
2. Initial Appearance
3. Preliminary Hearing
4. Grand Jury Indictment
5. Arraignment
6. Trial Jury Selection
7. Opening Statements
8. Presentation of Evidence
9. Closing Arguments
10. Jury Deliberation
11. Verdict
12. Sentencing
13. Appeal