The Criminal Justice Process Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Criminal Justice Process - Research Paper Example On a written complaint to the police by the victim, it is incumbent upon the police to investigate the matter. As a result of police investigation, if it is found prima facie that crime has been committed, the police may arrest the suspect on the basis of warrant of arrest issued by the judge. The police after completion of its investigation shall submit its investigation report to the office of District Attorney. The prosecuting attorney will review the investigation report to determine whether to suspect will be connected with the crime or not (Steury & Frank, 1996). If suspect connects with the crime, he / she may be sent to the prison. He / she remains in the prison until the case is decided by the competent court of law. If released on bail, the release agreement will sign by the accused criminal. The release agreement contains the conditions that accused will appear in the circuit court on due dates of hearings, will not leave the place of residence without the court permission and will not intimidate the victim in any manner whatsoever. If the defendant contacts victim, the victim has the right to report the matter to the court release officer for taking necessary action. The release agreement will be effective until the court decides the case (Walklate, 1989). The case starts when charge document against an accused is filed by the district attorney. Charge document may be in the form of complaint, information or indictment. A crime comes under the ambit of felony where one can get imprisonment for a period of more than a year. The crime committed under the felonies is manufacturing, delivering and possessing of drugs, theft, burglary, sexual assault etc. However, misdemeanor crimes (harassment, menacing and trespassing) are those where an accused cannot get sentence of incarceration of more than a year (Walklate, 1989). First appearance of a defendant in a