What stage follows after a suspect is indicted in a criminal case?

After a suspect is indicted in a criminal case, the proper next stage in the process is the arraignment. During the arraignment, the defendant is formally presented with the charges and has the opportunity to enter a plea—either guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This step is critical as it sets the stage for the upcoming trial and establishes the defendant's intentions regarding the charges.

Following the arraignment, if the plea entered is not guilty, the case will progress to the trial phase. The trial is where the evidence is presented, and the case is argued before a jury (or judge in a bench trial). Sentencing comes into play only after a conviction is secured or when a guilty plea is accepted. The initial appearance is an earlier stage in the judicial process, occurring after arrest and before indictment, primarily focused on informing the suspect of their rights and the charges.

Understanding this sequence is important in grasping the overall flow of the criminal justice process and how each step leads to the next. Indictment leads to arraignment, which in turn paves the way for trial if the case is not resolved through a plea agreement before reaching the trial stage.