how does a state attorney take a case

by Mr. Toy Abbott 10 min read

During the trial, the State's Attorney may make opening and closing statements, offer evidence, question witnesses and challenge the defense attorney's legal actions. If the defendant is found guilty, the State's Attorney recommends a sentence for the judge to determine and may have to argue the case again in an appeal to a higher court.

Full Answer

How does a state attorney work in the US?

First, police file a warrant or charging request with the State's Attorney following an investigation. Attorneys review the request and may decide to issue a warrant, which allows the police to arrest the suspect. An arraignment in court follows, at which the suspect is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea.

What happens when a state attorney files a criminal charge?

State Attorneys General. Attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state or territory. They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the “People’s Lawyer” for the citizens. Most are elected, though a few are appointed by the governor. Select your state to connect to your state attorney general's ...

How does a Prosecutor decide to charge a case?

Personal injury is just one area of practice in the legal profession, and there are subsets, including: medical malpractice. product liability. industrial accidents, and. toxic torts. If your case is outside the attorney's area of expertise, they may pass on representing you. And even if your case falls under the lawyer's expertise, the lawyer ...

What is the difference between a county attorney and state attorney?

Apr 24, 2016 · The Pennsylvania attorney general is the state’s top lawyer. The office can bring down drug rings, investigate public corruption and it defends the state when it is sued. The attorney general is also a political figure, working with the governor and the Legislature to reform state drug laws, its prison system and to combat the state’s ...

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What is the role of an assistant state attorney?

When the State Attorney’s Office receives a formal complaint from a law enforcement agency, an assistant state attorney, assigned to the case, will review the reports and may interview witnesses. It is important to cooperate with this office to ensure that all the information about the crime is provided.

How does the prosecutor present the case?

The prosecutor presents the state’s case first by calling and questioning witnesses on “direct examination.”. After direct examination of each witness, the defendant’s attorney is permitted to question the witness by “cross examination.”.

What is the first appearance of a defendant?

At First Appearance, the defendant is informed of the charges for which he/she was arrested and. is advised of his/her rights. The Judge reviews the law enforcement reports and may raise or lower the amount of the bond, or may release the defendant on his or her own recognizance.

What is a summons for a defendant?

If an Information is filed and the defendant has not yet been arrested , an order (a summons) for the defendant to appear in court or an order (a capias or a warrant) for the arrest of the defendant will be issued).

What is victim compensation in Florida?

The Bureau of Victim Compensation was established by the State of Florida to financially aid innocent victims/survivors of violent crime (including DUI and Hit & Run charges). Victim Compensation is a. Payer of Last Resort that provides benefits, within limits and in the event the crime has produced a financial hardship, for medical expenses, ...

What is a victim in criminal law?

an adult victim or intervenor who has been physically injured as a result of a crime. a victim or intervenor who has suffered psychiatric or psychological injury as a result of a forcible felony. a surviving spouse, parent or guardian, sibling, child or principal dependent of a deceased victim.

What is a child witness?

the parent or guardian of a child witness (16 or under) who was present at the scene of a violent crime and suffered. psychological injury. an elderly or disabled adult who lost property as a result of a crime. a victim of domestic violence in need of relocation assistance.

How to position your case for success?

Build Your Case. You can position your case for success by having a complete picture of the nature and extent of your injuries —an official diagnosis from your doctor, for example. In a car accident case, getting a copy of the police report can be a big help.

Do lawyers lie?

Litigation attorneys are master lie detectors. So if you're not telling them everything, or if you're lying about something, there's a good chance they'll know. Why does this matter? Because if they don't see you as credible, a judge or jury probably won't either. Your attorney also needs to trust you, as they will be making sworn statements to the court based on what you say. If they're constantly wondering if you're lying, they won't be able to represent you effectively.

Is it too late to sue?

It's Too Late to Sue. All personal injury cases are subject to lawsuit-filing deadlines set by the statute of limitations. Subject to a few exceptions, if you try to sue after the statutory deadline has passed, your case will get thrown out, and the attorney might face sanctions from the court.

What happens if you sue after the deadline?

Subject to a few exceptions, if you try to sue after the statutory deadline has passed, your case will get thrown out, and the attorney might face sanctions from the court.

Why do you need a copy of a police report?

In a car accident case, getting a copy of the police report can be a big help. It also helps to organize and gather any potential evidence, like your medical records, contact information of potential witnesses, and a timeline of notable events.

What are the different types of personal injury?

Personal injury is just one area of practice in the legal profession, and there are subsets, including: 1 medical malpractice 2 product liability 3 industrial accidents, and 4 toxic torts.

What is the Roe v Wade ruling?

This was the 1992 landmark abortion ruling that upheld the basic tenet of Roe v. Wade that a woman has the right to an abortion. It established a new “undue burden” test, which struck down part of the Pennsylvania law which required wives to notify their husbands before getting an abortion.

Who is the chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners?

Shapiro is the chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and was appointed to be the chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency [PCCD] by Gov. Tom Wolf about a year ago.

Who is Joe Peters?

Republican candidate Joe Peters was a Scranton police officer, an organized crime and drug prosecutor in the attorney general's office for 15 years, a federal mafia prosecutor and oversaw a White House drug trafficking program. He most recently served as Kathleen Kane’s spokesman for about eight months in 2013 and 2014.

Steven Douglas Knittle

There is no definite time period for the State to file charges other than the statute of limitations which is 4 years for most felonie in Florida other than Murder. Statutory speedy trial issues are not presented by your case as you were not arrested and no charges hae been filed. Sometimes it takes a while for the investigation to be completed.

Corey Ira Cohen

It would depend on the exact charge since we are dealing with the statue of limitations. If you were not arrested then there is not a speedy trial concern.

Mark Nickolas Longwell

There is no time limitation. Having a lawyer on your side at this point is critical. Is it important to you to do everything you can to avoid being charged with such a serious crime? Of course. You need to hire a lawyer. A good lawyer can find out what is going on and manage the situation to the point that you may not get charged.

William David Umansky

I hope you have a lawyer already. Mr. Damore is absolutely correct. You shared too much info on this public forum. Please consult with someone if you have not already done so. You may call our office at 4072283838 if you would like to discuss if you are not represented...

David Richard Damore

Please tell us you have already retained counsel. Also too much info for a forum of this type!

Can you represent yourself in court in Arizona?

People may represent themselves in court without an attorney as long as they follow court rules. They often are called pro per, pro se, or self-represented litigants. While this guide is intended to give a general overview of the Arizona court system and its procedures, not all cases proceed as outlined here.

Can a small claims court be appealed?

An appeal may be heard as a new trial (a trial de novo), or the superior court judge may review records of trial proceedings if records have been kept. Decisions made in small claims court cannot be appealed. Superior Court Case Processing. In superior court, the two major types of court cases are criminal and civil.

What is the first appearance in court?

1. Initial Appearance – This is the defendant ’s first appearance in court, and the defendant is advised of the charges. The judge appoints an attorney if the defendant cannot afford one. 2. Arraignment – The defendant appears in court to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

What is a complaint filed with the clerk of the court?

1.The plaintiff files a document (a complaint or a petition) with the clerk of the court stating the reasons why the plaintiff is suing the defendant and what action the plaintiff wants the court to take. 2.The plaintiff must state whether the case is eligible for arbitration according to court rule.

What is the Supreme Court's discretionary decision?

After examining the petition for review and supporting materials, the court decides whether to grant or deny review. In almost all cases, the Supreme Court’s review is discretionary. This means the court may decide not to accept the case. In that event, the last decision from a lower court is final.

What happens if a defendant pleads not guilty?

Trial – If the defendant pleads not guilty, a trial is held. The judge—or at the defendant’s request, a jury—can hear evidence on the charges and find the defendant guilty or not guilty. 4. Sentencing – If the defendant is found guilty, the court imposes the appropriate punishment (sentence). 5.

What happens if a jury is found not guilty?

The court then enters a judgment based on the verdict, and the jury is released from service. If found not guilty, the defendant is released immediately. If the defendant is found guilty, a date is set for sentencing. The defendant may be held in custody or remain on release status until sentencing.

Can a prosecutor file charges against a suspect?

Prosecutors can file charges on all crimes for which the police arrested a suspect, can file charges that are more or less severe than the charges leveled by the police, or can decide not to file any charges at all. ( U.S. v. Batchelder, U.S. Sup. Ct. 1979.)

What is an arrest report?

Arrest reports summarize the events leading up to arrests and provide numerous other details, such as dates, time, location, weather conditions, and witnesses' names and addresses. Arrest reports are almost always one-sided.

Can a criminal defendant pay for an attorney?

Most criminal defendants are legally indigent and can’t afford to pay for an attorney. On the other hand, the state can’t legally prosecute indigents unless it provides them with an attorney. To satisfy this requirement, many states have set up public defender offices.

Can an attorney give advice?

While attorneys can give advice, clients have the ultimate right to make most of the important decisions relating to their case, with very few exceptions. More See all Working With Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Topics. See More Working With Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Articles.

What to do if you have been charged with a crime?

If you've been charged with a crime, you're entering the world of the criminal justice system. In this world, an experienced attorney is critical to help manage your case and obtain the best possible outcome. Many defendants will be able to get a public defender to represent them at no cost, but others may not qualify financially ...

Can a defendant get a public defender?

Many defendants will be able to get a public defender to represent them at no cost, but others may not qualify financially or prefer to hire a private attorney. In this section we'll explain who can get free legal representation, and who must (or should) hire their own criminal defense attorney.

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Stages in The Criminal Justice System

  1. Crime Committed
  2. Law Enforcement Investigation
  3. Suspect Charged or Arrested
  4. First Appearance (if arrested)
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First Appearance

  • If a defendant is arrested and unable to post bond, he or she is entitled to appear before a judge within 24 hours. At First Appearance, the defendant is informed of the charges for which he/she was arrested and is advised of his/her rights. The Judge reviews the law enforcement reports and may raise or lower the amount of the bond, or may release the defendant on his or her own reco…
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Filing of Criminal Charges

  • When the State Attorney’s Office receives a formal complaint from a law enforcement agency, an assistant state attorney, assigned to the case, will review the reports and may interview witnesses. It is important to cooperate with this office to ensure that all the information about the crime is provided. This review of the case will determine if th...
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Victim Impact/Restitution Statement

  • The Office of the State Attorney provides each victim with a Victim Impact/Restitution Statement for completion. This form affords the opportunity to provide information concerning the effect of the crime, the financial losses incurred and your recommendation for a sentence in this case. Please complete the statement promptly as requested and return it to the State Attorney’s Office…
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Victim Compensation

  • The Bureau of Victim Compensation was established by the State of Florida to financially aid innocent victims/survivors of violent crime (including DUI and Hit & Run charges). Victim Compensation is a Payer of Last Resort that provides benefits, within limits and in the event the crime has produced a financial hardship, for medical expenses, funeral costs, counseling, loss o…
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You May Be Eligible If You are...

  1. an adult victim or intervenor who has been physically injured as a result of a crime
  2. a victim or intervenor who has suffered psychiatric or psychological injury as a result of a forcible felony
  3. a surviving spouse, parent or guardian, sibling, child or principal dependent of a deceased victim
  1. an adult victim or intervenor who has been physically injured as a result of a crime
  2. a victim or intervenor who has suffered psychiatric or psychological injury as a result of a forcible felony
  3. a surviving spouse, parent or guardian, sibling, child or principal dependent of a deceased victim
  4. the parent or guardian of a minor or incompetent victim that has been injured as a result of a crime

Arraignment

  • As the victim, you have the right to be present at arraignment. However, your presence is not required. At arraignment, the defendant will be formally advised of the charges filed by the State. The defendant is also informed of the right to an attorney. If the accused indicates an inability to afford an attorney but wishes to be represented, the judge may appoint an attorney from the Pub…
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Depositions

  • A deposition is an interview or testimony taken under oath of any or all witnesses in a case by the defendant’s attorney after formal charges have been filed. In most cases, an assistant state attorney will also be present during the deposition which maybe recorded by either a court reporter or by a tape recorder which will later be produced into a written transcript. The defenda…
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Pre-Trial Proceedings

  • CASE MANAGEMENT, PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES, PLEA HEARINGS, MOTION HEARINGS, and DOCKET SOUNDING are all types of pre-trial proceedings. Case Managementin Felony Court is a calendared date when the prosecutor, defense attorney and the judge select a trial date for a case. Generally, details of the case are not discussed other than the trial period in which the cas…
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Trial Procedure

  • A jury is selected by the state and defense attorneys and seated as the first item of procedure. The trial begins with an “opening statement” from the assistant state attorney, hereinafter called “prosecutor” and the defense attorney. The opening statement outlines the facts that each party expects to establish during the trial. The prosecutor presents the state’s case first by calling an…
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