{"id":352254,"date":"2023-09-30T23:03:31","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T04:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-procedure-faq.html"},"modified":"2023-09-30T23:03:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T04:03:31","slug":"criminal-procedure-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-procedure-faq.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Procedure FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Criminal Procedure FAQ<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/linda-sanabria-j-d\/\">Linda Sanabria, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            September 30, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>Criminal procedure is an intricate process and rule system. If you&#8217;re accused of a crime, you&#8217;ll need to know what to expect in the process.<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>Get answers for some of the most common questions about criminal procedure and the criminal justice system, including:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Innocent\">What does it mean that I am presumed innocent until proven guilty?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Burden\">Who has the burden of proof in a criminal trial?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Jury\">Am I guaranteed a trial by jury?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Testify\">If a defendant is not guilty, why wouldn&#8217;t they testify?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Difference\">What&#8217;s the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Incompetent\">What does it mean that a defendant is incompetent to stand trial?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#Statute\">How can I read a criminal statute to understand what a prosecutor must prove?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div>But some questions are too specific to answer online. You may need to get personalized advice from a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a> for your case.&nbsp;<\/div>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Innocent\"><\/a>What does &quot;presumed innocent until proven guilty&quot; mean?<\/h2>\r\n<p>If you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the judge and jury must assume you are innocent until the prosecutor proves otherwise. This goes hand in hand with the concept of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment5\/annotation05.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">due process<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>The presumption of innocence until proven guilty, along with the due process clause,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.congress.gov\/browse\/essay\/amdt14-S1-5-5-5\/ALDE_00013763\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">helps a defendant have a fair trial.<\/a>&nbsp;You won&#8217;t be constantly harassed by the state filing criminal charges against you that require you to prove your innocence.<\/p>\r\n<p>Without the presumption of innocence, there would be little to prevent the state from charging you with crimes and constantly forcing you to prove your innocence. With the presumption in place, the state should only bring charges where it believes there is sufficient evidence to prove that a suspect committed a crime because the burden of proof rests with the state.<\/p>\r\n<p>Second, having the presumption of innocence in place means you don&#8217;t have to say a single word or prove a single thing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/defending-yourself-against-a-criminal-charge.html\">in your defense<\/a>. You could be silent the entire trial and put on no defense whatsoever. You are not even required to submit a guilty plea and can submit a plea of no contest. Unless the prosecution can prove that you committed all of the required elements of the crime&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/beyond-a-reasonable-doubt.html#:~:text=The%20standard%20in%20a%20criminal,proven%20and%20guilt%20is%20established.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beyond a reasonable doubt<\/a>, you should be judged not guilty.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Burden\"><\/a>Who has the burden of proof in a criminal trial?<\/h2>\r\n<p>The burden of proving a defendant&#8217;s guilt for a criminal offense rests with the prosecution. The prosecution must establish that the defendant is guilty&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/beyond-a-reasonable-doubt.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beyond a reasonable doubt<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Coupled with the presumption of innocence, this is a very high standard for the prosecution to prove. These criminal law procedures exist intentionally because the American legal system believes letting a guilty man go free is better than convicting an innocent man.<\/p>\r\n<p>In civil cases, there are much lower <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/standard-of-proof.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">standards of proof<\/a>, such as the &quot;preponderance of evidence&quot; or &quot;more likely than not&quot; standard. Beyond a reasonable doubt, however, means that the judge and jury should resolve all doubts about the defendant&#8217;s guilt. The conclusion is that, due to the evidence, the defendant must have committed the crime.<\/p>\r\n<p>Most defendants try to establish plausible alternative theories about the prosecution&#8217;s theory of guilt to raise reasonable doubts about the truth of the charges.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Jury\"><\/a>Am I guaranteed a trial by jury?<\/h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment6.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Sixth Amendment<\/a>&nbsp;states that in all criminal prosecutions, the defendant shall have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.<\/p>\r\n<p>Generally, you are guaranteed a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/right-to-a-speedy-jury-trial.html\">right to trial by jury<\/a>&nbsp;for criminal offenses that carry a penalty of more than six months of imprisonment. Crimes that are punishable by less than six months are often considered petty crimes. These misdemeanor cases do not necessarily give you the right to a speedy trial by jury.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/difference-between-grand-jury-and-trial-jury.html\">Juries<\/a> typically range in size from six to 12 members, often reflecting the crime&#8217;s seriousness. Finally, jury convictions must usually be unanimous, meaning all members must agree. There are exceptions in a few states where only 10 of 12 jury members must agree to convict the defendant.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Testify\"><\/a>If a defendant is not guilty, why wouldn&#8217;t they testify?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Criminal defendants have a constitutional right against self-incrimination. A non-guilty defendant may choose not to testify for various reasons, but the main one is to avoid saying something that would make them appear guilty to a jury.<\/p>\r\n<p>Some Americans are familiar with defendants&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/fifth-amendment-right-against-self-incrimination.html\">pleading the Fifth<\/a>&nbsp;but may not know what that means. The <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment5.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fifth Amendment<\/a> gives criminal defendants the right to decline to testify during their criminal case and requires that jurors be instructed not to assume the defendant&#8217;s guilt by their silence.<\/p>\r\n<p>This instruction is crucial because there is a natural tendency to assume that the defendant has done something wrong by not testifying. Instead, the defendant may have been instructed by their appointed counsel not to testify because:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>By taking the stand and testifying, the defendant opens up his or her past to questioning by the prosecution. The prosecution can bring up information to discredit or tarnish the defendant&#8217;s reputation and believability.<\/li>\r\n<li>The defendant may be a poor public speaker and seem angry, callous, or nervous. This may cause jurors to believe that the defendant is guilty of something.<\/li>\r\n<li>The defendant is not a likable person, and the defense attorney does not want the client convicted for their personality.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a href=\"#Difference\"><\/a><a id=\"Difference\"><\/a>What&#8217;s the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Generally, in criminal procedure, a felony is considered a more severe crime, and as a result, the defendant is given more jail time \u2014 typically a year or more. In contrast,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/what-distinguishes-a-misdemeanor-from-a-felony.html\">misdemeanors are considered lesser crimes<\/a>, often punished by making the defendant pay a fine and sometimes serve jail time. Typically, misdemeanors are only eligible for less than a year of jail time.<\/p>\r\n<p>Many crimes can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the crime and the prosecutor&#8217;s inclination. Defendants may also be&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/court-ordered-community-service.html\">subjected to community service&nbsp;<\/a>by court order if they are first-time offenders or guilty of a misdemeanor.<\/p>\r\n<p>Conduct punished only by a fine is typically not a crime but rather an infraction (such as a traffic violation).<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Incompetent\"><\/a>What does it mean that a defendant is incompetent to stand trial?<\/h2>\r\n<p>A defendant declared incompetent will be placed into a secure mental hospital rather than jail until the defendant is deemed competent to stand trial at a later court date.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flsenate.gov\/Session\/Bill\/2023\/201\/Analyses\/h0201e.HHS.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The court may release the defendant<\/a>&nbsp;on conditional release if they are not serving a prison sentence. The court has jurisdiction over the defendant while they are under involuntary commitment or conditional release.<\/p>\r\n<p>If a defendant is incapable of understanding what the state is accusing them of, then a judge may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/legalblogs\/law-and-life\/legal-how-to-declaring-someone-incompetent\/\">order an evaluation<\/a> of the defendant. The evaluation will be performed by a psychological professional with experience in detecting deception since defendants may feign&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/insanity-defense.html\">mental illness<\/a>&nbsp;to avoid punishment.<\/p>\r\n<p>If the defendant does not respond to treatment at their facility and is deemed non-restorable, they must be released or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/involuntary-commitment-patient-and-public-rights.html\">civilly committed<\/a> under the Baker Act. This occurs regardless of whether the defendant is involved in a felony case or misdemeanor case.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Statute\"><\/a>How can I read a criminal statute to understand what a prosecutor must prove?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Most criminal statutes have two essential parts: the physical act and the mental act. Accordingly, you can break down almost any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics\/understanding-criminal-law-how-to-break-down-a-criminal.html\">criminal statute<\/a> into the physical acts and the mental state\/intent required. For example, here is a standard definition of criminal assault: &quot;An act with the intent to cause fear in another of immediate bodily harm or death.&quot;<\/p>\r\n<p>First, there must be a physical act that took place. Second, that act must have been undertaken with the intention (the mental state) to cause fear or immediate bodily harm or death in another.<\/p>\r\n<p>If a gunman held a gun to a crime victim&#8217;s head, then holding the gun to that person&#8217;s head would be the physical act. A gun is a deadly weapon, so the gunman intends to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death to get the victim to comply with the criminal&#8217;s demands.<\/p>\r\n<p>At trial, a prosecutor would have to prove that you performed some physical act with the intent to hurt someone significantly.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><a id=\"Questions\"><\/a>Questions About Criminal Procedure? Ask an Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>The legal process is extraordinarily complicated and can vary greatly depending on your case&#8217;s charges, jurisdiction, and facts. Competent legal advice can help you understand what you&#8217;re up against, no matter your criminal record.<\/p>\r\n<p>There are various terms that people have trouble understanding or remembering, although they are all part of criminal procedure.<\/p>\r\n<p>Typical questions may include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>What is law enforcement&#8217;s role other than executing arrest warrants? Will my arresting police officer show up to my trial date?<\/li>\r\n<li>Can a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency search my belongings with probable cause, or do they need a search warrant?<\/li>\r\n<li>Can my criminal history affect my chances of getting a plea agreement?<\/li>\r\n<li>What&#8217;s the difference between a circuit court, district court, state court, supreme court, and federal court? More importantly, why are there so many courts?<\/li>\r\n<li>Is a decision by a trial court final, or can an appellate court change it or request a new trial?<\/li>\r\n<li>What is the difference between a docket, arraignment, subpoena, acquittal, and expungement?<\/li>\r\n<li>How can I prepare for a preliminary hearing?<\/li>\r\n<li>Is my DUI a felony or a misdemeanor?&nbsp;<\/li>\r\n<li>Is it better to hire a private attorney or wait for a court-appointed public defender?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you have any questions about criminal procedure or are preparing for a court appearance, contact an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense attorney<\/a>&nbsp;today.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n              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