States and the federal government have laws making certain acts illegal, and each jurisdiction is responsible for setting punishments for committing those crimes. Once the prosecution has reached indictment, authorities must then notify the person. In California, for example, the prosecution can: 1. file a written complaint accusing the defendant of a felony 2. proceed to a preliminary he… At this stage, the defendant is expected to plead "guilty" or "not guilty." Steps In The Federal Criminal Process . The purpose of a felony indictment is to inform you of the charges so that your legal counsel can prepare a defense. The act or process of obtaining such charges. The grand jury is randomly chosen and the indictment process is privately processed. A criminal trial may end either with a guilty or not guilty verdict, depending on the details of the case and the evidence.If the court reaches a guilty verdict, a judge or jury will determine their sentence in court considering maximum and minimum state penalties for conviction.During the COVID-19 crisis, Law Office of David A. Breston is fully operational and we can help you by phone, video or in-person when needed! Witnesses or the victim is asked to testify at the trial. If he pleads not guilty, the court will set a date where he will be brought to trial.Trial refers to a court proceeding where all evidence brought against the defendant is presented by the district attorney (prosecution) to the grand jury or the judge. While all felonies are serious, they may vary in severity and possible punishment. What is a Felony Indictment? As a result, the district attorney presents evidence and witnesses to convince the court that a crime has been committed and the defendant should stand trial.

After an indictment, a criminal trial will proceed. In federal felony cases, the defendant may choose to waive or “give up” his Fifth Amendment right to indictment by a grand jury, and be charged by criminal information instead. The district attorney will inform the defendant of the charges brought against him during this time. Part F Felony. However, a preliminary hearing may not be held in every state; some states use the grand jury as provided for by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The third step is the first readiness … According to law, the majority of states will require that an individual in custody be charged or released within 2 to 3 days of detainment. An indictment is essentially a two-step process in the federal system:. Felony Indictment Process in Texas The Texas indictment process can be complex. Following the arrest, law enforcement officers will send a report and supporting documents to prosecutors for the government. Although the grand jury is responsible for conducting the indictment process, the prosecutor maintains ultimate authority. An indictment is used as an alternative to a complaint in a trial court. Those who were indicted are alleged to have paid up to $6 million in bribes to get their children admitted into colleges. An indictment does not guarantee a guilty verdict. Indictments are generally only obtained for felony charges. The Grand Jury Issues an Indictment. Though the Constitution doesn’t require them to, some states require indictments for prosecution of some or all felony cases. The criminal indictment process begins when an individual is arrested or cited for a criminal infraction. Each case is different, so you’ll need guidance from an experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer from beginning to end. The grand jury is responsible for the indictment process; the grand jury will determine what charges will be formally filed against the defendant. Call us at This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND NEEDS HELP, CONTACT US TODAY.