The defendant has been charged with a criminal offense. What will happen next?
Generally, when a defendant is charged in a criminal complaint with a crime, the defendant is arrested. A short time thereafter, an initial appearance is held before a Judge. At the initial appearance bond will be set. Often there is no cash bond, instead the court determines that the defendant is likely to appear at future court hearings and that the defendant is not a threat to the public, and therefore, releases the defendant on his or her personal recognizance and a promise to appear at future court dates. Additionally, the defendant may be ordered to avoid any contact with a victim or witness. In a felony case, the next step is the preliminary hearing. At a preliminary hearing, the State must prove that it is more probable than not that a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. The arresting officer or the victim will be subpoenaed to testify. If the Judge finds probable cause, the defendant is arraigned. At that time, the felony defendant pleads guilty or not gui
