There are multiple levels to a felony prosecution. Most importantly, a good defense can begin before an arrest. Investigation is key. Contact an attorney immediately if you even suspect that you are under investigation.

STAGE 1 - PRE-FILING INVESTIGATION

Contact an attorney. Head off a prosecution before it gets started. It is a terrible mistake to believe that you only need an attorney after an arrest. This is as critical a stage as the trial itself. Prepare yourself with an attorney who will investigate, interface with law enforcement and the DA. With hard work, you may avoid arrest and prosecution altogether.

STAGE 2 - ARREST

A felony prosecution commences with an arrest, followed by a complaint being filed in the superior court. In some rare cases, the prosecution may instead seek an indictment from the grand jury. A good attorney will coordinate bail before or at arrest.

STAGE 3 - ARRAIGNMENT

The defendant is set for arraignment within a few days – though this may be longer if the defendant posts bail and is out of custody. At this first court appearance, at which the defendant must appear, the court reads the charges filed, and usually addresses the matter of bail, if the defendant is still in custody. A plea (almost universally, not guilty) is entered. Dates for a pretrial conference, followed by a preliminary examination are set.

STAGE 4 - PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE

At the first pre-trial conference, counsel confers with the district attorney and confirms or resets the date for the preliminary examination. At this point, defense counsel should have received the initial discovery materials from the prosecutor's office. This generally consists of police reports, witnesses’ statements and any initial test results.

STAGE 5 - PRELIMINARY HEARING

At the preliminary examination, the prosecutor is required to present the “bare bones” of his case against the defendant. He must present “some evidence” to lead the judge to believe that a crime has been committed and a strong suspicion that the defendant is guilty of that crime or crimes. The standard of proof is relatively low, therefore most defendants are "bound over" for trial.

STAGE 6 - SECOND ARRAIGNMENT

A second arraignment is then held – though some judges actually arraign the defendant immediately following the preliminary examination. In either case, a second readiness conference is set, as well as a trial date. A defendant has a “speedy trial” right to have the trial start within 60 days from this arraignment.

STAGE 7 - SECOND PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE

At the pre-trial hearing, discussions with the prosecutor regarding a possible plea bargain usually intensify, as both parties by then have a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the case, the defendant's background, etc. Not only in California, but nationwide, approximately 95% of criminal cases filed in court are settled by some type of plea bargain. A good attorney prepares for trial at all times and accepts a plea bargain only when the attorney and the client believe it is in the client's best interest. Settlement should never supplant preparation.

STAGE 8 - TRIAL

If a case does proceed to trial, a jury of 12 persons is selected. Once the jury is selected and sworn, counsel gives their opening statements. This is followed by the prosecution presenting its case. Afterward, the defense presents its case. The judge may then instruct the jury on the applicable law. The prosecutor gives a closing argument, followed by the defense counsel. The prosecutor, but not the defense, is allowed a second argument – the last word. The judge then gives the jury its final instructions and they retire to deliberate in secret. A verdict, whether guilty or not guilty, must be unanimous. If a unanimous verdict cannot be reached one way or the other, a mistrial is declared.

STAGE 9 - SENTENCING

A felony conviction presents two types of possible sentences. In the first, the defendant is granted formal probation (unless the charge is reduced to a misdemeanor). This may include the requirement that the defendant spend some time (up to one year) in the county jail, make restitution, etc. In the second, probation is denied and the defendant is sentenced to state prison for either a “low”, “middle” or “high” term. State prison is usually reserved for cases of more serious charges – those involving weapons, violence, drug sales, sex offenses, serious injury or death – and for defendants with prior felony convictions.

STAGE 10 - APPEALS

In all cases where a trial was held and the defendant found guilty of some charge, an appeal may be taken. An appeal is not a second trial of the case. The appellate courts generally will not re-weigh the evidence. Rather, an appeal contends that some error of the law occurred during trial, which requires that the case be remanded for a new trial or a different sentence. If a guilty plea was entered, the defendant may only appeal the sentence, try to withdraw the guilty plea, or appeal the denial of a suppression motion, if one was made and denied prior to the entry of the plea. Appeals generally go first to the California Court of Appeal – except for death penalty cases (which go directly to the California Supreme Court). If denied, a petition for review can then be filed in the State Supreme Court. From there, a defendant may seek review in the federal courts by filing a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the federal district court. An appeal may then be taken to the circuit court of appeals, followed by a petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. Overall, in criminal appeals, less than ten percent are granted in whole or in part.

STAGE 11 - EXPUNGEMENTS

If a defendant is granted probation and successfully completes it, in many cases the charges can then be reduced to a misdemeanor, or "expunged" from their record.