In reality, criminal law is not as dramatic as the movies or television would purport. In fact, the majority of criminal cases are dismissed or settled in some way before there is even a trial. Criminal law deals primarily with crimes committed against the state, i.e. with social crimes. Examples include murder, theft, larceny, arson, embezzlement, and rape. Criminal statutes determine which courts will hear what cases and who will prosecute those cases.
States have different procedures by which they prosecute individuals accused of committing crimes.
However, in most states, a prosecutor's office will begin investigating a case after the individual has been arrested. At this point, the state and the accused will engaged in what is called plea bargaining. Plea Bargaining is basically a negotiation between the state and the accused. There the accused may decide to plead to a lesser charge or attempt to seek a lesser sentence than might otherwise be sought by the state. If the two parties agree, the individual may receive his or her sentence without undergoing a lengthy and expensive trial process.