What You Should Expect in the Process of a Felony Charge from Start to Finish

December 21, 2023

Getting charged with a felony is one of the most serious legal battles anyone can face. It can have severe consequences, including long-term imprisonment, fines, loss of certain rights, and a negative impact on your personal and professional life. Therefore, it's essential to understand the legal process of a felony charge, so you can prepare and arm yourself with the right resources. In this blog, we'll go over the process of a felony charge and how an attorney can assist you in this difficult time.


Arrest: Getting caught in the act or suspected of committing a felony can lead to an arrest. You'll have to go through booking, which involves taking your basic info such as fingerprints, mugshots, and background information. Afterward, they'll set up a bond amount for you to pay for your release.


Bail: Bail is a payment method that allows you to be temporarily released from custody after getting arrested. A judge can grant or deny it to you depending on the severity of the crime and other factors. Based on the amount set by the judge, you can post bail through a bail bondsman or pay the full amount.


Arraignment: Once you're out of custody, you'll receive a date for arraignment, which is your first formal appearance before a judge. During this process, you'll hear the charges set against you, be advised of your rights, and enter your plea. Either guilty, not guilty, or no contest.


Preliminary hearing or grand jury proceeding: This process is to determine whether the prosecution has enough evidence to continue the case to trial. The judge will determine the preliminary hearing, while the grand jury will determine whether there are sufficient grounds to proceed to trial. Defendants are not allowed to present evidence during this time.


Pre-trial motion: The defendant's lawyer can file pre-trial motions to assist them in reducing the sentence or having the charges dismissed. Such filings can include suppressing evidence, change of the location of the trial, etc. The court will hear these and then rule on them.


Trial: If the case makes it to trial, both sides will present their evidence, and the jury will determine if the defendant is guilty or not. This process can take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses involved.


Sentencing: If the defendant is found guilty, the judge will weigh in on sentencing. The severity of the sentence depends on the severity of the crime, previous criminal history, any aggravating and mitigating circumstances, and the discretion of the judge.


Appeal: The defendant (or prosecution) can appeal the verdict given by the court if they feel there are legal errors or misconduct done by the court. The appeal process can reverse the decision made by the trial court or order retrial based on specific errors made in the original trial.


How Can an Attorney Help Me?: A criminal defense attorney can assist you at every step of the felony process. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and offer you advice and guidance on the best course of action. They can look for errors in the legal process and plead on your behalf in court, negotiate plea bargains, and offer support and counsel to help you get the best outcome possible.


Going through a felony charge is an intimidating and life-changing event. It's critical to know the process of a felony charge from start to finish to prepare well for each step along the way. With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, you can navigate the complicated legal process with confidence and make the best decisions for your future. If you or a loved one is facing felony charges, contact a criminal defense attorney today to know your rights and get the proper guidance and support you need.

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