Learn More About The Arkansas Criminal Process

If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense, it is critical to understand the stages involved in the Arkansas criminal process. This information can help you prepare for the series of events that may determine how a criminal matter can affect your future and your rights.

Our Lawyer Can Help You Navigate This Complex Process

The criminal process has many steps, and working through them alone can be overwhelming and time-consuming. When you work with our attorney, criminal defense lawyer Wesley Rhodes, he will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process and submit all paperwork in a timely manner on your behalf.

Our lawyer has extensive experience with all aspects of the criminal process, so you can rest assured that he will handle your case efficiently. His goal is helping you resolve your criminal legal matters as quickly and effectively as possible.

The Stages Involved In A Criminal Case

Since no two criminal cases are exactly the same, the criminal process may be different according to the particular factors of each case. In a typical case, the stages involved in the process are discussed below.

Investigation Phase

During this stage, police officers respond to allegations of a crime. They gather information from the alleged victim and witnesses. They investigate the location where the alleged crime occurred, collecting evidence and recording this information in an initial report.

When the police observe a crime taking place or the charges are obvious, police officers may skip the investigation phase and move to the arrest phase.

Arrest And Booking Phase

An individual accused of committing a crime, known as a defendant, may be arrested for probable cause. With probable cause, a police officer does not need a warrant to arrest or search an individual, but a defendant can also be arrested on a warrant.

When a defendant is taken into police custody and booked, they will be processed and put into a holding cell. After a defendant is booked, they can be released from jail by posting bail.

Arraignment

The defendant hears the charges that the prosecuting attorney has filed during the arraignment stage. It is the prosecuting attorney’s job to determine which charges a person should face.

At this time, the defendant can choose to plead guilty or not guilty or can choose not to challenge the charges. If the defendant pleads guilty or decides not to challenge the criminal charges, then the judge will sentence the defendant.

Pretrial Phase

If the defendant pleads not guilty, they will participate in a pretrial hearing. The prosecuting attorney and the defendant may negotiate a plea arrangement at this point. The pretrial hearings are also used to determine which evidence can be presented during the trial and to negotiate a lower bond if the defendant has not been released from jail.

Trial Phase

The prosecution presents its case against the defendant during the trial phase. If a judge decides the outcome of a case, this type of trial is called a bench trial. If a jury decides the outcome, it is called a jury trial.

Sentencing

If the judge or jury finds the defendant guilty, the defendant’s sentence will be determined after the trial has ended.

Contact Our Lawyer To Find Out More

If you have been charged and are confused about your next steps, connect with our lawyer at Wesley Rhodes, Attorney at Law, today by filling out our online form or calling 501-301-4591. We offer free criminal case reviews to residents of Little Rock and the surrounding communities.