Pretrial Events

Criminal Procedure: Pretrial Events

Introduction to Pretrial Events

The rules of criminal procedure affect many actions prior to the formal trial of the defendant. Even before a suspect is arrested, certain procedural rules govern the activities of the police and the rights of the suspect. After an arrest is made, a series of events takes place leading up to either release, a guilty plea, or a trial to determine the accused person’s guilt or innocence. All of these events are governed by the rules of criminal procedure. Because each jurisdiction develops its own procedures, the names of the various pretrial proceedings and the order in which they occur vary. ” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Pretrial Events in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Pretrial Events

In this Section

Pretrial Events, Investigation and Arrest, Pretrial Events Booking, First Judicial Appearance, Bail, Preliminary Hearing, Arraignment on the Indictment and Preparation for Trial.