After being arrested for a criminal offense in Tennessee, you will have to take part in a variety of legal proceedings. These proceedings will slowly determine whether you are guilty of the alleged offense and what your punishment should be if you are convicted. With most criminal charges, matters are settled in the early stages of the case and they do not make it to the trial phase. If you and your lawyer do not make a plea deal or settlement during the preliminary stages of your case, it will then move into the trial phase.