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If a defendant enters a ‘not guilty’ plea in a misdemeanor case, after the arraignment and before the trial, then the prosecution and defence will need exchange information. During this ‘discovery’ the defendant will be limited in what information he/she will have access to but the lawyers are often given full access. However the lawyers must protect peoples identities [...]

An arraignment is with first time a defendant appears in court for his case. At this hearing the judge will tell the defendant what the charges are, what his rights are including his right to a lawyer (if the defendant doesn’t have money for a lawyer, the court will appoint one for free). Once this [...]

When a person (called the defendant) is arrested they will promptly take them to jail, often in handcuffs. Once in jail, 1 of 3 things happen: -The defendant remains behind bars and law enforcement officers will take the accused to their arraignment hearing in court, -The defendant may be released if the prosecutor decides not to [...]