A felony prosecution can begin either by an arrest warrant or by the Circuit Court issuing an indictment. If you were arrested for a felony by a police officer, you will have a bond set by the magistrate (unless the crime is so serious, or your record is so bad, that you are denied any bond). You will have a first appearance, often the very next day. At that first appearance, you will be advised of your right to have a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you. If you have a lawyer appointed, and your family decides that they want to hire a lawyer, you always have the right to bring in your own lawyer. At that first appearance, the judge will set the case for a preliminary hearing, usually a few weeks or months away. A preliminary hearing is NOT a trial it is a hearing where the only question is whether there is SOME evidence to support a charge. Generally the judge will not consider defense evidence; the question is whether, if the governments evidence is believed, there is probable cause that the defendant committed the offense charged. Probable cause is a much lower standard than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard used in a criminal trial. Although cases often get negotiated down at this point, in the great majority of cases in which a preliminary hearing is held, the case is certified to the grand jury, which means that it is sent on the Circuit Court the only court that can hold a full trial in a felony case.
<snip>
The grand jury of the Circuit Court meets every month or two (it depends on the schedule in that court). The grand jury meets on term day, which is the first day of the month-long or two-month-long term of court. At that time, the case is presented to the grand jury a group of 5 to 8 citizens chosen by the Clerk and the Judge. In such a case, the police officer or lead investigator will typically just tell the grand jury what the Commonwealths evidence is. The grand jury will almost never hear from actual witnesses, and typically will not hear any of the defense side of things.
<snip>
In many of the courts in which we regularly practice, the next date will be an arraignment. An arraignment is just a 5 to 10 minute hearing where the judge finds out whether you intend to plead guilty or not guilty and whether you want a jury or a judge trial; then the judge will set the trial date. In some of the courts in which we regularly practice, the date set at term day will be the actual trial date.
<snip>
If you were found guilty at your trial, you will usually have a pre-sentence report prepared, and you will have a sentencing hearing two or three months after the trial.
