Booking
After an arrest the defendant will be fingerprinted, photographed, and his NYSID
sheet or "rap sheet" will also be printed and checked for outstanding warrants. The
arresting officer or other witnesses will speak with a district attorney about
the case. The district attorney is in charge of prosecuting the case and
decides exactly what the charges will be. The charges are set forth in a document
called an accusatory instrument.
While being held, the defendant will be interviewed by a representative from
the Criminal Justice Agency (CJA). The defendant will be asked questions
such as his address, the name and address of his employer, whether he is on parole
or probation, and the name and telephone number of a person who can verify this
information. CJA then makes a recommendation to the court as to whether the defendant
should be released.
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