Each Texas criminal procedure will consist of a:
Booking is when an administrative procedure in which your information is gathered and recorded.
Arraignment happens when you appear in court, are advised of the charges against you, and are given the police report dealing with the facts of your involvement in the crime. The last step in arraignment is entering a plea.
Bail is money paid to the court to ensure that you show up for your required court appearances.
A preliminary hearing occurs when a judge determines whether your case should be tried in court.
The trial consists of opening statements by your Houston criminal attorney and the prosecutor. Witnesses are called and questioned, and evidence is presented. Your attorney and the prosecutor make closing statements, and the judge then gives the jury instructions. After deliberating, the jury announces the verdict, which may be guilty, guilty of a less serious or related charge, or not guilty. Once the verdict is rendered, your defense attorney can attempt a post-trial motion, such as a motion for a new trial.
Sentencing can be different depending on the circumstances of your case. Your sentence may consist of time in jail, a fine, or both.
Probation is the suspension of a jail sentence. If you are given probation, you are released, and rather than serving time in jail, you are returned to the community and have to abide by conditions set by the court and are under the supervision of a probation officer for a specific amount of time.