Objective: familiarize yourself with the current options for adjudication within the criminal judicial system.

It is important to understand sentencing options, plea bargaining, and ultimately the adjudication of criminal cases. Depending on the crime, there is a wide variety of options. It is also important to learn about juvenile sentencing and the differences between that and the adult system.

• In your response, be prepared to discuss the following:
  • An imaginary person named Mr. Z or Ms. Z has been accused of a crime in your county. Describe the crime.
  • Describe the steps that Mr. or Ms. Z will go through, based upon the table on page 222.
  • Grand juries are required in some states and optional in other states. Will a grand jury convene? Will the grand jury be required or optional?