What are the different stages in a Criminal Case ?

A criminal case is a legal process where the government (through a prosecutor) brings charges against someone accused of committing a crime. The process goes through several stages, including investigation, charging, bail hearing, trial, and sentencing. At each stage, different things happen and different decisions are made, but the ultimate goal is to determine whether the accused person is guilty of the crime and, if so, what punishment they should receive.

A criminal case typically goes through the following stages:

1. Investigation: The police or other law enforcement agency investigates a crime and gathers evidence. If they believe they have enough evidence to charge someone with a crime, they will make an arrest.

2. Charging: The prosecutor reviews the evidence collected by the police and decides whether or not to file criminal charges. If charges are filed, the accused person is formally charged with a crime.

3. Bail hearing: If the accused person is in custody, they will have a bail hearing, during which a judge will decide whether or not to release them on bail pending trial.

4. Arraignment: The accused person is brought before a judge and formally informed of the charges against them. They enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

5. Pretrial motions and discovery: Both the prosecution and defense attorneys may file pretrial motions and request evidence from the other side, in order to build their case.

6. Trial: The trial begins, with the prosecution and defense presenting their evidence and calling witnesses. The judge or jury hears the evidence and decides whether or not the accused person is guilty of the crime.

7. Sentencing: If the accused person is found guilty, the judge will decide on an appropriate sentence, which may include imprisonment, fines, or probation.

8. Appeal: The convicted person or the prosecution may file an appeal to a higher court if they are not satisfied with the outcome.

It's worth noting that laws and procedures for criminal cases can vary depending on the jurisdiction and some countries have different stages in criminal case process. Also, it's possible for a criminal case to end before trial through plea bargaining, where the accused person agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence.