The Criminal Process

The criminal process can be complex and intimidating, regardless of your familiarity with the justice system. There are substantial differences in the process depending on whether you’re charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony, as well as an almost- infinite number of possible resolutions and negotiations in criminal cases. This page will explain the basic steps of the criminal process from a birds-eye view, with one section explaining the process for misdemeanor charges and the other examining the process when charged with a gross misdemeanor or felony.