What happens to a felony case after arraignment?

The following happens to a felony case after arraignment:

  • After arraignment in the local criminal court, the defendant is either sent to jail in lieu of bail or released on recognizance (ROR).
  • If he is sent to jail, and if he is not indicted by a grand jury within the next several days, he is entitled to a preliminary hearing in the local criminal court.
  • At a preliminary hearing, a judge determines whether there is enough evidence that the defendant committed a felony.
  • If the court determines that there is enough evidence to hold the defendant for grand jury action, he will remain in custody, pending action by a grand jury.
  • If the court determines that there is not enough evidence to hold the defendant for grand jury action, the case will either be reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed. Neither of those actions means that the case is over, since the case can still be presented to a grand jury.
  • If the District Attorney decides not to prosecute the case as a felony, the case will not be presented to the grand jury. Instead, the District Attorney will request that the local criminal court approve a reduction of the felony charges to non-felony charges, and the case will be prosecuted in the local criminal court.
  • If a grand jury indicts the defendant, the local criminal court loses jurisdiction over the case, and further proceedings are held in Orange County Court in Goshen.

Show All Answers

1. What types of offenses are there in New York?
2. What happens when someone is arrested?
3. What is the function of the District Attorney?
4. What is an arraignment?
5. What is bail and how is it set?
6. What happens to a misdemeanor or violation case after arraignment?
7. What happens to a felony case after arraignment?
8. Are grand jury proceedings open to the public?
9. What happens after a grand jury votes an indictment?
10. What is a trial?
11. What are the stages of a trial?
12. What types of sentences may be imposed if a person pleads guilty or is found guilty after a trial?
13. Can a convicted defendant or the District Attorney take a case to a higher court?