1. Court Proceedings

2. CIVIL CASES STEPS IN A CIVIL CASE
Complaint – plaintiff/defendant, describes suit.
Summons – sent by court to defendant.
Discovery – find evidence in the case by both the defendant and the plaintiff.
Settlement – either side has a chance to settle the issue before going to court, or use an arbitrator. (Most cases decided before court)
Trial – Right to a jury, most decided by judge.
Appeal – if defendant loses, has right to appeal.

3. CRIMINAL CASES
Arrest
Police arrest & book suspect. “Tag ‘em and bag ‘em clause.”
Preliminary Hearing
Suspect appears before a judge.
Bail is set.
Indictment
Grand jury (or judge) hears evidence & formally charges the suspect with the crime.
Arraignment
Defendant pleads not guilty.
Trial date is set.
Defendant plead guilty & accepts a plea bargain.
Trial
Prosecution & defense present cases to jury/judge
Jury/Judge reaches a verdict.
Acquittal
Defendant found not guilty or goes free.
Sentencing
Defendant found guilty.
Judge sentences defendant.

4. Goal of the Juvenile Justice System
JUVENILES & THE COURTS
Juvenile – a person under the age of 18.
Juvenile Delinquent – persons under 18 who commit crime.
Goal of the Juvenile Justice System
Rehabilitation – help young person correct behavior.
Types of Cases
Neglect – caregivers abuse or do not care for juvenile.
Delinquency – juvenile commits crime.
Juvenile Trials
No trial by jury & trials are closed to the public.
Once juvenile completes probation, the charges are dropped and removed from their record.