CJ ST 241 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Affirmative Defense, Bail Bondsman, Jury Trial
Document Summary
Ch8: pretrial procedures, plea bargaining, and the criminal trial. Pretrial processes ideally force prosecutors and judges to review the available evidence and dismiss unnecessary charges against people who should not face trial and punishment. Arraignment: the court appearance of an accused person in which the charges are read and the accused, advised by a lawyer, pleads guilty or not guilty. At time of arraignment, prosecutors begin to evaluate the evidence. If evidence against the defendant, charges may be dropped. Motion: application to a court requesting that an order be issued to bring about a specific action. Ex: challenge the prosecution"s evidence; seeking order for the prosecution to share certain evidence or for the exclusion of evidence that was allegedly obtained through improper questioning of the suspect or an improper search. Moving cases through court quickly seems to be the main goal: limited staff/time/resources/money.