Final answer:
Defendants appear before a judge for arraignment, preliminary hearings, plea bargaining, and sentencing. These processes ensure the defendant's rights are upheld, evidence is fairly reviewed, and, if found guilty, an appropriate sentence is assigned based on legal guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defendants are brought before a judge for several reasons which are fundamental to the criminal justice system. One key reason is the arraignment, where defendants are formally charged and informed of their rights, including the right to an attorney. This is essential, as established in the landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright, which guaranteed the right to public defense for those unable to afford a lawyer. Another reason is the preliminary hearing, which assesses whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. This stage is critical for the defense to challenge evidence that may have been illegally obtained, in line with the Sixth Amendment which ensures defendants are informed of the charges and evidence against them.
The third reason a defendant may be brought before a judge is for plea bargaining, where an agreement is made to plead guilty to lesser charges, often to receive a lighter sentence, which streamlines the court's caseload and spares the costs of a full trial. Finally, a defendant appears before a judge for sentencing if found guilty, where the judge determines the punishment based on laws and case facts, sometimes following guidelines that assign point values to various factors.