What are the steps in the Texas criminal justice process?

Crime Committed: The process begins when a crime is committed and reported or discovered.

Investigation: Law enforcement officers investigate the crime, gather evidence, and identify a suspect.

Arrest: If enough evidence is found, the suspect is arrested. The suspect is read their rights and taken into custody.

Charges Filed: The case is presented to the prosecutor, who decides whether to file charges and what those charges will be.

Initial Appearance: The accused is brought before a judge to be informed of the charges and their rights. Bail may be set at this time.

Grand Jury or Preliminary Hearing: In felony cases, a grand jury will decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. In misdemeanor cases, a preliminary hearing may be held for the same purpose.

Arraignment: The accused is formally charged and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

Pre-Trial Motions and Hearings: The defense and prosecution may file motions to suppress evidence, change venue, or make other requests. Hearings may be held on these motions.

Trial: If the case is not resolved through a plea bargain, it goes to trial. The prosecution presents its case, the defense presents its case, and the jury or judge decides the verdict.

Sentencing: If the accused is found guilty, the judge determines the sentence. This could include fines, probation, or jail or prison time.

Appeals: The convicted person has the right to appeal the conviction or sentence. This process can take several years.

Post-Conviction: If the convicted person is sentenced to incarceration, they are sent to jail or prison. If they are sentenced to probation, they must meet certain conditions and regularly report to a probation officer.

Parole: If the convicted person is sentenced to prison, they may be eligible for parole after serving a certain portion of their sentence. Parole is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the parole board.

Expungement or Sealing of Records: In some cases, the convicted person may be able to have their criminal record expunged or sealed, making it less accessible to the public. This is typically only available for certain types of crimes and after a certain period of time has passed.