How Do Federal Criminal Cases Proceed in California?

How Do Federal Criminal Cases Proceed in California?

If you’ve ever wondered how federal criminal cases work in California, you’re not alone! It can be pretty confusing to understand the whole process. This article will walk you through the basics in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

First off, let’s be real – the legal system can be intimidating! There’s a lot of fancy lawyer talk and weird courtroom rules. But we’ll break it down step-by-step so you’re not totally lost if you ever find yourself involved in a federal criminal case in California.

The Investigation

Most federal criminal cases start with an investigation by a law enforcement agency like the FBI or DEA. They get a tip or uncover evidence that a federal crime may have been committed. Then they start digging around to get more proof.

The investigators can do stuff like interview witnesses, get search warrants to look for evidence, tap phones, and even use informants. Their goal is to build a solid case against the suspects.

One thing that’s different from state cases is that federal agents and prosecutors are the ones handling the investigation. In state cases it would be local police and the district attorney calling the shots.

Charging the Crime

Once the investigation is done, the U.S. Attorney’s office reviews the evidence. They decide whether there’s enough proof to file formal federal charges against the suspects. If so, they’ll determine exactly which crimes to charge them with.

Federal prosecutors have a lot of discretion here. They might only charge the most serious offenses or could hit the defendants with a bunch of charges. There’s no limit.

The charges are filed through something called an indictment or information. That’s just a fancy legal document listing the specific laws the defendant allegedly broke.

Initial Court Appearance

Once charged with a federal crime, the defendant is brought before a judge pretty quickly. This first appearance is called an initial hearing or arraignment.

At the hearing, the judge makes sure the defendant has a lawyer and understands their rights and the charges against them. They also set bail or decide to hold the defendant without bail.

If the defendant can’t afford a lawyer, the judge will appoint a public defender to represent them for free. Many defendants qualify for a free lawyer.

The Grand Jury

Federal prosecutors have to present evidence to a grand jury to get an indictment. A grand jury is a group of citizens who listen to the prosecution’s case in secret.

Defense lawyers are not allowed in. The grand jury then decides if there’s probable cause to move forward with the charges. If they vote yes, then it’s officially indicted as a federal case.

Grand juries almost always indict. Out of tens of thousands of cases each year, they only refuse to indict a couple dozen times.

Pretrial Motions and Discovery

After the charges are filed, the pretrial process starts. This is when both sides start preparing for trial and arguing pretrial motions.

The defense attorney will file motions asking the judge to throw out evidence, dismiss charges, or take other actions. Prosecutors file their own motions too.

Both sides also request discovery from each other. That means they exchange information and evidence about the case. This process helps everyone prepare for trial.

Plea Bargaining

The vast majority of federal criminal cases end in a plea bargain, not a trial. The defendant pleads guilty in exchange for some concession from prosecutors like dropping certain charges or a lighter sentence recommendation.

Plea deals often happen because the evidence is overwhelming. Defendants plead guilty to get leniency. But sometimes innocent people plead guilty out of fear of losing at trial and getting a harsh sentence.

The Trial

If no plea agreement is reached, the case will go to trial. First a jury will be selected, which is called voir dire. Then the trial begins.

The prosecutors present their evidence and witnesses first. Then the defense gets to counter with their own evidence and witnesses. Federal trials usually take several days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of the case.

After closing arguments from both sides, the jury deliberates and returns a verdict. The defendant is found either guilty or not guilty on each charge.

Sentencing

If found guilty, the judge sets a sentencing date a few weeks later. More pre-sentencing motions and hearings may occur in the meantime.

At sentencing, the judge reviews pre-sentencing reports, evidence, witness statements, and other factors to decide the penalty. Federal judges use mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines but also have some flexibility.

Besides prison time, the sentence may also include fines, restitution, probation, and other conditions.

Appeals

After sentencing, defendants have the right to appeal their conviction and sentence. The first appeal is filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the circuit that covers California – the Ninth Circuit.

On appeal, the defense challenges legal errors made by the trial judge or procedural mistakes. Most appeals fail and the conviction is upheld. But sometimes appeals do result in reversals, new trials, or reduced sentences.

Federal cases can go through multiple levels of appeal all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. But very few make it that far in the process.

Key Takeaways

That covers the basic flow of federal criminal cases in California from investigation to sentencing. Here are some key takeaways:

• Federal agents and prosecutors control the investigation and charging.
• Grand juries nearly always indict if asked to by prosecutors.
• Many defendants plead guilty rather than face trial.
• Federal sentences are guided by strict sentencing guidelines.
• Appealing convictions is difficult and rarely succeeds.

Hopefully this breakdown demystified the process a bit! The federal criminal justice system has a lot of complex rules and procedures. Having a basic grasp of how it works can help if you ever find yourself caught up in it.