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An indictment is returned by thegrand jury alleging a person has committed a crime. The defendant is then arrested on a warrant or ordered to appear upon a summons. He/She is brought before a magistrate judge to be advised of their rights and make some preliminary decisions about bail. In determining whether the defendant should be released on bail, the magistrate judge reviews a report prepared by the Pretrial Services department, and listens to any arguments by the attorneys in the case. Detention hearings are usually held when the defendant is charged with a crime of violence, has a serious record of prior convictions, poses a flight risk, or faces a maximum sentence of 10 years or more in a drug case.

Below are terms relating to a first appearance. Read each clue and then unscramble the letters to spell the word.

1. When a defendant enters his/her initial plea, it is called an __________. (ratmiangren)

2. The purpose of an initial appearance, is not to decide guilt or innocence but to make a decision about __________. (ilba)

3. The court wants to be satisfied that the defendant __________ the nature of the charges. (sadurntdesn)

4. One of the defendant's rights is his/her right to __________ at every step of the proceedings. (nocusle)

5. Another right is the defendant's right to remain __________. (netsli)

6. A defendant will fill out a financial affidavit to determine if he/she is entitled to a court __________ attorney. (pedtnaopi)

7. Instead of obtaining an attorney from the court, if you are financially able, you can __________ your own attorney. (artnie)

8. The government has the __________ of proof for convincing the court that the defendant should be detained pending trial. (dubrne)

9. A person is considered __________ until proven guilty. (notinecn)

10. A defendant has the right to a speedy __________, which is 70 days from their initial appearance. (ralit)


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