1.First Appearance Setting – person must appear in court to determine if they must hire an attorney or if they are qualified for a court appointed attorney.

2.Announcement Settings – Discussion between defense lawyer and assistant district attorney to determine if case will be:

• Dismissed
• Plea bargained (agreement for punishment between defendant and state without involving judge or jury)
• Bench trial (trial without a jury, just a judge

3.Final Announcement Setting – choosing if person wants a trial or plea bargain with Assistant District Attorney.

4.Plea Setting – Enters plea of either guilty or accuses himself. If person pleads to the charge, he may choose to accept the plea bargain offered by the state or request for the judge to decide on his punishment (open plea.)

5.Trial Setting – Opportunity for defendant to plead not guilty; can be a trail by a jury or a bench trial (trial before a judge.) This setting follows 3 phases:

• Voir dire Phase – jury is selected
• Guilt/innocence Phase– presentation of evidence
• Punishment Phase – only if person is guilty

6.Probation – can be jail sentenced or can be released and are check on by the Department of Community Supervision.