STAGES OF CRIMINAL TRIAL
The Process of a criminal trial in India is explained in a simple point by point wise manner. Without multiplying details, as this may complicate non-professionals understanding of the concept. Hope you find this article useful.
1. REGISTRATION OF FIR
2. COMMENCEMENT OF INVESTIGATION and collection of evidence by investigation agency. During this time, at any stage decided by the investigating agency, accused persons can be arrested.
3. PRODUCTION OF ACCUSED before Magistrate, within 24hours of arrest
4. BAIL HEARING before appropriate court.
5. COMPLETION OF INVESTIGATION
If the investigating agency sense a prima facie case is made out, chargesheet is filed in Court through the public prosecutor.
If the investigating agency opines that no prima facie case is made out, a final report filed in Court.
6. HEARING REGARDING CHARGE
The court upon considering the police report and the documents and after giving the prosecution and the accused an opportunity of being heard.
7. DISCHARGE, if the Court feels the charges are groundless, will record the reason for doing so.
8. FRAMING OF CHARGE, if the Court is of opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused had committed an offense.
9. CONVICTION ON PLEA OF GUILTY, if the accused pleads guilty, the Court shall record the plea and may, at discretion convict the accused. The accused pleads not guilty, the case is posted for trial.
10. RECORDING OF EVIDENCE OF PROSECUTION
Examination of prosecution witness by the public prosecutor, marking of exhibits and cross examination by defense counsel.
11. STATEMENT OF ACCUSED, as provided in section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code, to enable the accused to personally explain any circumstances appearing in the evidence against him.
12. DEFENCE EVIDENCE, if the defense wants to, it examines defense witnesses, who are cross examined by the public prosecutor, and exhibits defense evidence.
13. ARGUMENT, Public Prosecutor and the defense counsel present their arguments.
14. JUDGEMENT and sentence by the Court.
Acquittal of accused, or
Conviction, in which case
Arguments of public prosecutor and defense counsel on sentence. Judgement of Court passing sentence.
Application can be filed by the defense counsel for the suspension of sentence. To offer surety if the sentence is suspended
We have necessary expertise in handling criminal cases in Bangalore
My old blog on the same topic “stages of criminal trial in India” written in blogspot is here, click
I appreciate this information. Our country is experiencing a rise in crime today. People need both safety and protection.In the bail matter, it’s imperative that the Court exercise its discretion. The Court’s discretion must be exercised judiciously in light of all the facts and circumstances of the case. Bail Lawyers in Bangalore should exercise extreme caution when it comes to bail. A court should grant bail to an accused person as soon as possible. The court can dismiss the bail application at once if it finds that it is frivolous and motivated. Bail applications that do not involve an offense do not require a review of their merits.