I.     Overview The Criminal Court Process

    A. Heightened Public Scrutiny

    B. Wide Discretion Throughout Process

    C. Tightly Knit Work Groups

II.     Categories of Domestic Crimes

    A. Conventional

    B. Economic

    C. Organized

    D. Political

    E. Hate

    F. Cybercrime  

E. Consensual

III.     Essential Elements of a Crime

    A. Statutory Basis

    B. Criminal Act (actus reus)

    C. Criminal Intent (mens rea)

    D. Court Determined Causal Relation of Action and Offense

    E. Resultant Determination of Offense Against Society

IV.     Criminal Procedures (flow chart)

    A. Formal Processes

        1. arrest (The Miranda Case)

        2. obtaining an attorney (Colorado:

            Public Defenders)

        3. initial appearance or arraignment

        5. pretrial events

            a.     motions

            b.     discovery (example)

        7. trial

            a.     bench

            b.     juries (example; voir dire)

        8. jury instructions

        8. verdict (reasonable doubt standard)

        9. sentencing

    B.    Informal Processes    

        1. prosecutorial discretion

        2. plea bargaining

V.     Significant Issues and Participants       

    A. Rights of the Accused   

    B. Prosecution

    C. Defense

    D. Decision/Verdict

VI.     Post-Trial Events

    A. Sentencing

    B. Appeals