Final answer:
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure outline the steps of federal criminal cases, ensuring rights are protected following the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Amendments. The rules prescribe the use of grand juries, different types of criminal charges, and fair trial requirements. Sentencing follows established guidelines or, in some cases, a jury decision, with the right to due process upheld throughout the proceedings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure are not merely laws passed by Congress; they are a set of rules that govern how federal criminal cases are to be conducted, detailing the steps for conducting criminal proceedings which range from the initial appearance to sentencing and beyond. These federal rules work in tandem with constitutional amendments to ensure the rights of the accused are protected throughout the criminal justice process.
The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Amendments constitute the foundational rights of the accused, providing procedural guarantees from the moment of accusation through to trial and conviction, ensuring fair treatment under the law. For instance, the Fifth Amendment mandates that federal felony cases commence only if a grand jury returns an indictment, signifying sufficient evidence exists to warrant a trial.
In criminal proceedings, courts - whether federal or state - are systems with the jurisdiction to make decisions based on established law. The division of cases into felonies and misdemeanors helps determine the seriousness of the crime as well as the potential legal ramifications. As per the law, once a crime is alleged, the government itself charges the individual, leading to cases with names such as Miranda v. Arizona.
Finally, when a defendant is acquitted, they are discharged unless other charges are pending. Conversely, a conviction leads to sentencing, which in federal courts is influenced by guidelines scoring the offense's severity. Moreover, governments, be they federal or state, cannot enact laws that retroactively criminalize behavior or that administer punishment without due judicial process, as proscribed by ex post facto laws and bills of attainder respectively.