The defendant is charged with a crime by the arresting agency.

The District Attorney [D.A.] reviews the case and makes a decision whether or not to file charges.

If the D.A. does not file charges, the case is dismissed.

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If however, the D.A. does file charges, there will be an arraignment where the defendant would plead either innocent or guilty.

If the defendant pleads guilty, he/she would be sentenced and the case would be closed. If the defendant pleads innocent then a court date would be set.

The court would then hear the case, reach a verdict, and the case would be closed.

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