Criminal Cases

Criminal Cases Crimes are defined in each state’s written criminal laws, called the penal code. The penal code also spells out the punishment for each classification of crimes. Two main groups of crime: Misdemeanor & Felony

Crimes can then be divided into: a. crimes against property (larceny, vandalism, fraud) b. crimes against people (murder, assault, rape ) c. victimless crimes ( use of illegal drugs, prostitution) Punishment for convicted criminals can range from fines to death.

Criminal Case Procedure 1. Arrest: rights read, booked & charged with crime, attorney contacted 2. Preliminary Hearing: Charges read before judge, either jail, bail, or released 3. Indictment: A grand jury or a judge hears evidence & formally charges the suspect with the crime

Criminal Case Procedure 4. Arraignment: Defendant pleads not guilty & trail date set 5. Defendant pleads guilty & accepts a plea bargain 6. Trial: Prosecution and defense present cases to jury or judge. Jury or judge reach a verdict

Criminal Case Procedure 7. Acquittal: Defendant found not guilty & goes free Or Sentencing: Defendant found guilty. Judge sentences defendant

Read following to students: You are on the parole board in your state Read following to students: You are on the parole board in your state. There has been a great rise in the crime rate, and as a result, a large number of criminals have been convicted and sentenced to long terms. The prison is already overcrowded, and you must make selections on whom to parole to make room for the most recent list of criminals. You are to pick eight of the following: A rehabilitated sex offender convicted for crimes against children An arsonist convicted for setting four fires to public buildings now “cured” after serving eight months of a three-year sentence A banker convicted of embezzling 50 million dollars from a bank. An ex-college student and heroin addict serving time for pushing hard drugs to juveniles. Civil rights lawyer convicted for contempt of court A Vietnam serviceman convicted of desertion in the face of the enemy. A powerful former politician convicted of selling highly classified information to foreign governments. A “Godfather” convicted for tax evasion A newspaper reporter convicted of refusing to identify his news sources in a delicate case involving three members of the President’s Cabinet A medical student drop-out convicted of several counts of abortion Female liberationist prostitute who strongly believes in freedom of choice in occupation