What happens
after an arrest?
From processing and charging to hearings and trial, explore how the process typically unfolds. Procedures and timelines depend on the particular case.
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Know the room.
Understand the process.
Hearings can feel unfamiliar. Our stage-by-stage guide explains the people, decisions, and proceedings you may encounter.
Illustrative courtroom photograph; not a representation of a specific D.C. courtroom.
From arrest to trial.
Understand what comes next.
A guided overview of the D.C. criminal process. Select any stage to explore it.
Arrest & processing
After an arrest, officers process the person and determine whether release is possible or they must remain in custody. The agency and type of charge affect what happens next.
Official D.C. Courts procedure ↗Every case follows its own course.
This interactive overview is general information, not a prediction of timing or outcome. Courtroom assignments and hearing schedules must be verified with the D.C. Courts.
Plan a courthouse visit ↗Questions about a case?
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