If you have had the misfortune of being a victim of, or witness to a crime, most likely your first contact was with one of our uniformed patrol deputies. This deputy made a report of the crime you reported or witnessed.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS

Your case is then investigated by a detective in our Criminal Investigation Division. Should an arrest or arrests be made the detective completes a case file, and refers it to the District Attorney.

The following information is provided to you in an effort to acquaint you with the criminal justice system and the process in which you may be participating.

Each Sheriff's Department case is assigned a number. The first two numbers indicate the year in which the offense occurred, the second two refer to the month and the series of numbers that follows is your number. This number helps you gain assistance much faster. Example 9912-123. The patrol officer or investigator should be able to provide you with this number when he initially handles your case.

After criminal charges are filed the case is often sent to a court for a preliminary hearing. The judge examines the case and decides whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.

Sometimes evidence is presented to a Grand Jury. If a majority of the citizens who sit on the Grand Jury decide there is enough evidence against the defendant, they return an indictment against the defendant.

If the court or Grand Jury decides there is enough evidence to try the defendant, the defendant appears before a court to PLEAD either guilty or not guilty. This hearing is called the arraignment. If the defendant pleads guilty, a date is set for sentencing. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the judge assigns the case to a trial court and decides the amount of bond.

In a trial, the prosecutor presents the case on behalf of the People and the defendants presents his side through a defense attorney. There are two kinds of trials - bench trials before a judge (without a jury) and jury trials with twelve jurors. The defendant decides which kind of trial he or she wants. There are six jurors in a County Court of Law case.

At the trial the jury, or if there is no jury, the judge decides whether the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If the defendant is found not guilty, he or she is acquitted and allowed to go free. If found guilty the judge sets a date for imposing a sentence on the defendant. The sentence can include probation or a prison term.

Depending upon the severity of your case you may be called to testify in either the County Court at Law or the District Courts. All courtrooms are located in the Courthouse. The information booth personnel may be able to assist you in finding the correct courtroom.

Sheriff's detectives are required to contact victims and update them on your case. This process takes a while at times (usually 2-4 days) depending upon the individual case. If you are not contacted after 10 days you may wish to call our Criminal Investigation Division (CID) during business hours, and inquire about your case and its progress. Providing your case number is helpful when you make any inquiries about your case.

If your are threatened by the defendant, the accused, or anyone else in regard to your case, please call the Sheriff's Department at the general number.