Crime Committed/Police Notified

            Most reported crimes are investigated by the Montmorency County Sheriff’s Department or the Michigan State Police.  A few types of crime (e.g. criminal non-support, public health related crimes, etc.) may be investigated by other agencies.

Police Investigate

            Investigations may include interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects; collecting physical evidence; visiting, viewing, photographing, measuring the crime scene; identifying suspects through line-ups, etc.

Police Make an Arrest (or Request a Warrant)

            When a crime is committed in a police officer’s presence – or he has probable cause to believe that certain misdemeanors or any felony was committed that he did not see happen – an officer may arrest a suspect on the spot without an arrest warrant.  The officer will later submit a charging/warrant request to the Prosecuting Attorney, suggesting potential charges to be authorized.

Warrant/Charging Request Reviewed by Prosecuting Attorney

            Most cases begin with a warrant request.  This is generally the first time that the Prosecuting Attorney is involved in a case, unless he/she reviewed a search warrant or visited the crime scene.  At this stage, the Prosecutor determines whether a person should be charged with a crime and, if so, what the crime should be.  (Police do not issue charges, prosecutors do.)  The Prosecuting Attorney must thoroughly review all reports and records concerning the case, including witness statements.  The Prosecutor also reviews the suspect’s prior criminal or traffic record.  Occasionally, the reviewing Prosecutor sends the case back to the police to conduct additional investigation.

Complaint Issued

            The Prosecutor can issue a charge on a Complaint if he/she reasonably believes that probable cause exists that the suspect committed the offense.  But, most Prosecuting Attorneys apply a higher standard – whether he/she reasonable believes that she can prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt at trial with the information known at that time.

Warrant Issued

            The Complaint is filed in the District Court and signed under oath by an officer from the investigating police department.  (The crime victim does not sign the complaint.) The magistrate or judge then signs a warrant – an order to bring the defendant before the court.

Suspect Arrested (if not already in custody)

            The delay between the crime date and the defendant’s arrest on an authorized charge can take any length of time (e.g. if the defendant’s whereabouts are unknown, or if he/she has left the State of Michigan).

District Court Arraignment

            This is the first court appearance for any misdemeanor or felony.  Once charged and arrested, the suspect appears in District Court for arraignment.  At arraignment, the defendant is told what the charge(s) is (are) and the maximum penalty if convicted, and is advised of his constitutional rights to a jury or bench trial, appointed attorney, presumption of innocence, etc.  The charging document is called a Complaint.  The conditions and amount of bond are determined.  In some cases – generally based on the nature of the charge – the Judge imposes conditions on the bond, such as “no contact” with the victim.  Bond is set in almost every case, but it is up to the defendant’s own resources to post the bail money, which allows him to be released.

All further pre-trial procedures are determined by whether the defendant is charged with a felony or misdemeanor.