1. Law enforcement is made aware of a crime; typically reported from private citizens.
2. Law enforcement completes an investigation and makes arrests.
3. Criminal complaint is filed in the appropriate court by the arresting law enforcement agency.
4. Paperwork is filed with the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
5. Defendant is arraigned in Magistrate Court. (Formal charges are read in court and bond conditions are reviewed.) The entire case will be handled in Magistrate Court.
6. Pre-trial conferences occur.Pre-trial conferences are where the prosecution and defense discuss with the judge what progress is being made with the case; ie: if it appears the case will go to jury trial, if the case will be plead or possibly dismissed. The judge oversees the case and makes sure that it is handled in a timely fashion.
7. Final Disposition of the case is reached. A disposition will be reached upon the outcome of a jury trial, the entry of a plea bargain or dismissal of charges.
8. Sentencing hearing–if necessary. Sentencing only occurs if the defendant is found guilty of a crime.
9. Either party may file an appeal after 60 days of final disposition. If no appeal is filed, the case is officially closed.