A courtroom Judge is the person who signs the arrest warrants that permits an arrest to occur and the search warrants required for the Police to perform legal searches. Before a trial may begin, there are certain steps that must be followed. After an arrest has been made the booking process will occur. The suspect is taken to the station where they are searched, photographed, fingerprinted, and allowed one telephone call. Following the booking process is the initial appearance. The suspect is informed of their charges and their rights by the Judge. During this process, the suspect is allowed to request an attorney, otherwise one can be appointed. Depending on the crime the Judge may decide that the suspect may require bail for a release. The Judge determines and sets the bail all the while keeping the suspect's charges in mind. The Courtroom Judge may also decide to revoke bail. This may because the suspect is a violent offender, or perhaps they are a repeat offender, or the suspect is a danger to themselves or others. The Judge decides to revoke bail at the initial appearance than the suspect will have to stay in County Jail until the result of the trial. The 6th Amendment promises the right to a speedy trial.
A speedy trial helps to ensure that the accused suspect's reputation will not be jeopardized, if the accused is proven not guilty of the charges against them. A speedy trial includes: no more than 30 days between the day the arrest was made and the arraignment, no more than 10 days between the day of the indictment was conducted and the date of the arraignment, and finally no more than a total of 60 days between the date of the arraignment and the trial. The sooner a trial can be held the sooner their innocence can be proven. After the initial appearance, the suspect will then attend either a preliminary hearing or face the grand jury. Both are used to determine if there is probable cause. In the preliminary hearing, a judge will determine probable cause.
[...] The Courtroom Judge may either approve or deny the plea bargain. The plea bargain is a deal or a promise made by the prosecutor as incentive for the accused suspect guilty plea. The promise may include a lesser charge or sentence. If the suspect chooses the plea bargain, the guilty plea will then be entered. If the suspect opts out of taking the bargain offered by the prosecutor a trial will then take place. A fair trial calls for an impartial jury. [...]
[...] When it comes time for a trial, the Judge presides over the trial. The Judge makes rulings on the motions and objections made in the Courtroom. Finally the Courtroom Judge decides the verdict, in cases where a jury is not used. In both types of trials, the Courtroom Judge decides the sentencing for the convicted. If the case is to be heard on appeal, a Judge will hear that case and may decide to overturn the verdict. Ineffective Judges In some cases, the Judge can be ruled by money and greed. [...]
[...] They will lose their position and may even have to serve jail time with all those he or she has sentenced. A Judge should be the most honest person in the Courtroom because they take a vow to help discover and then to uphold the truth and Justice for all. Sources Used Meyer, Jon'a F. and Diana R. Grant. (2003). The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System. United States. Prentice-Hall. [...]
[...] After the initial appearance, the suspect will then attend either a preliminary hearing or face the grand jury. Both are used to determine if there is probable cause. In the preliminary hearing, a judge will determine probable cause. The Grand Jury is a little different from a preliminary hearing. The Courtroom Judge is still require to sit in on the Grand Jury, but the grand jury is a group of people who have been sworn in by the court will determine probable cause. If a grand jury was used, the indictment will then occur. [...]
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