What aspects of the stages in a capital case are designed to protect the rights of the accused? Do you believe that this system is sufficient to guarantee that only the guilty are convicted?

Preliminary Hearing

A criminal hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute an accused

person. If sufficient evidence exists, the case will be bound over for grand-jury review or an

information will be filed in the trial court.

Hearing on Pre-trial Motions

A judicial session held for the purpose of deciding issues of fact or of law, sometimes with

witnesses testifying, before the trial begins.

Prosecution’s Case

The government, which has the burden of proving the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt, offers evidence in an effort to convince the jury that the defendant committed the offense.