Description: A case with felonies involving adult defendant(s) and juvenile victim(s) OR juvenile defendant(s) being tried as adults
Determination of Counsel
The defendant informs the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court if he is hiring his own attorney or is financially unable to and wishes to be assigned a public defender. The victim is not present.
Determination of Hearing
In Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, the prosecutor and defense attorney agree to a date for the Preliminary Hearing. No witnesses appear.
Transfer Hearing
A formal proceeding involving a juvenile defendant in which the case is transferred to Circuit Court. The transfer hearing takes the place of a preliminary hearing and has the same content as a preliminary hearing described in adult felonies. The victim's testimony is usually required.
Grand Jury
A group of six citizens, randomly selected, determine the validity of the charges against the defendant. The only person who testifies at Grand Jury is the law enforcement officer involved with the case. If the Grand Jury validates the charges they certify them to the Circuit Court, called returning a True Bill. The Grand Jury meets the first and third Mondays of every month. If a Grand Jury date falls on a holiday, the Grand Jury will meet the following Tuesday.
Trial by Court
A court hearing, held in Circuit Court, where a judge determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant. The victim's testimony is usually required.
Trial by Jury
A court hearing held in Circuit Court with a jury of 12 citizens, randomly selected, who determine the guilt or innocence and in most cases, recommend a sentence. A guilty verdict must be unanimous to convict the defendant. The victim's testimony is usually required.
Pre-sentencing Report
This is held in Circuit Court. A formal proceeding in which the judge reviews the recommendations of the jury, victim impact statement(s), and the defendant's pre-sentencing report. The judge also hears testimony concerning the defendant, the crime, and possibly testimony from the victim(s) and imposes a sentence on the defendant. The defendant's sentence is given at the end of this hearing. The victim(s) may attend.