Final answer:
In the criminal justice system, the investigation and hearing process starts with an initial hearing, followed by investigation efforts, and then jury selection if a plea bargain is not reached. The trial includes opening arguments, witness testimonies, and concludes with jury deliberations and the final judgment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The investigation and hearing process in the criminal justice system includes a series of critical steps designed to ensure fair proceedings. Initially, a person charged with a serious crime will have a hearing before a judge where the charges are presented, and they are informed about their right to counsel while they enter a plea. Prior to trial, investigation efforts involve gathering and analyzing evidence to build both the prosecution's and defense's cases.
If no plea bargain is reached, the process then moves to jury selection, where potential jurors are summoned and screened to establish an impartial jury. The trial sequence then proceeds with opening statements, testimonies from witnesses for both the prosecution and defense, any cross-examination, and closing arguments.
Once both sides have presented their cases, the judge provides instructions to the jury. Then, the jury departs to deliberate on the presented evidence, aiming to determine whether it points overwhelmingly toward guilt or establishes innocence beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial concludes with the jury's verdict and the judge's issuance of a judgement.