Basic Steps of a Federal Criminal Case

 

  • Charge – complaint, information, or indictment (Fed. R. Crim. P. 3 & 7)

  • Arrest or Summons (Fed. R. Crim. P. 4)

  • Appearance before a United States magistrate (Fed. R. Crim. P. 5)

  • Probable Cause Hearing, if no indictment (Fed. R. Crim. P. 5.1)

  • Detention Decision (18 U.S.C. 3142)

  • Arraignment (Fed. R. Crim. P. 10)

  • Motions/Subpoena/Discovery Phase (Fed. R. Crim. P. 12–17)

  • Pretrial Conference (Fed. R. Crim. P. 17.1)

  • Guilty Plea or Trial (Fed. R. Crim. P. 11, 23, 31)

  • Motion for New Trial (Fed. R. Crim. P. 11)

  • Presentence Report Interview (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32)

  • Sentencing (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32)

  • Self-Reporting (judicial discretion)

  • Probation/Supervised Release Proceedings (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32.1)

  • Appeal (Fed. R. App. P. 4)

  • Petition for Writ of Certiorari

  • Post-Conviction Motions (28 U.S.C. 2255)

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