What are the possible outcomes of a criminal case?

Asked by: Duncan Parker  |  Last update: November 16, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (66 votes)

Key facts and insights for 2023
  • Nearly all cases, (92.7%) have been disposed, 3.5% are actively being prosecuted, and 3.8% have an active bench warrant.
  • Of the 146,693 disposed cases, 29.5% had a guilty outcome, 18.8% received an ACD, 14.4% were dismissed following an alternative court program, and 37.2% were dismissed.

What are the possible results for a criminal case?

Summary Offense: Case Outcomes

Case outcomes include Dismissal or Withdrawal, Diversion, a Guilty verdict, a Guilty plea, or an Acquittal (Not Guilty verdict). Except in the case of Acquittal, any outcome is subject to change through Refile, Reconsideration, or Appeal.

What are the possible verdicts in a criminal case?

In a criminal trial, the verdict may include findings such as guilty or not guilty , reflecting whether it has been successfully proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt .

What is the outcome of most criminal cases?

Most cases do not go to trial. The defendant may end up making a deal with the prosecution (a plea deal). In some cases, the judge may decide there is a legal reason that the case cannot go forward.

What is the best outcome for a criminal case?

The best case is that your charges are dropped/you win at trial. The worst case is jail time, a conviction on your record, and fines.

What is the Court Process of a Criminal Case?

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What are the chances of winning a criminal case?

18 percent of jury trials resulted in acquittal, and 82 percent resulted in a conviction.

How do most criminal cases end?

The majority of criminal cases terminate when a criminal defendant accepts a plea bargain offered by the prosecution. In a plea bargain, the defendant chooses to plead guilty before trial to the charged offenses, or to lesser charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of related charges.

What percentage of criminal cases settle before trial?

5–10% go to a full judge or jury trial is a maximum sound estimate for civil cases. Maybe as low as 2% in certain jurisdictions. In the Federal Criminal Courts very close figures are 91% of criminal cases are resolved by plea.

What do 95% of criminal cases end in?

According to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, " The overwhelming majority (90 to 95 percent) of cases result in plea bargaining. "

What is the final order in a criminal case?

A final order is a legal decision or ruling that concludes a case and cannot be appealed. It is the last decision made by a court or administrative agency in a legal matter.

What are the outcomes of a criminal case?

The potential outcomes of your criminal case include the following:
  • Dismissal. ...
  • Nolle prosequi. ...
  • Not guilty. ...
  • General continuance. ...
  • Deferred finding. ...
  • Plea agreement. ...
  • Guilty after trial.

What is the hardest crime to prove in court?

Top 5 Hardest Criminal Charges to Beat
  • First-degree Murder.
  • Sexual Assault.
  • Drug Trafficking.
  • White-collar Fraud.
  • Repeat DUI Offenses.
  • DNA Evidence.
  • Digital Forensics.
  • Ballistics and Weapon Analysis.

Do prosecutors want to go to trial?

When a prosecutor decides to take a case to trial, it's typically because they believe they have a strong case that serves the interests of justice. Several factors can contribute to this decision: Strong evidence supporting the charges. Serious nature of the offense.

Are most criminal cases dismissed?

Regardless of the cause, around 25-30% of felony charges get dropped before trial, so there's a decent chance your case could get dismissed, too. Of course, there's no way to know for sure. That's why you need to depend on a strong and experienced San Marcos, TX criminal defense attorney.

Do you get paid for time served if found not guilty?

Unfortunately no, the individual is not entitled to payment for time served I'm afraid unless the court orders that or there is a local regulation about that.

What must the person prove to win in a criminal case?

The California court applies the clear and convincing evidence standard in personal injury cases in which the plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages and punitive damages. The highest standard of proof, beyond a reasonable doubt, is what the courts require in criminal cases in the state.

Do about 90 percent of all criminal cases end with a guilty plea?

The defendant enters a plea to the charges brought by the U.S. Attorney at a court hearing known as arraignment. More than 90 percent of defendants plead guilty rather than go to trial.

How many times can a felony case be reset?

Resetting a Felony Case

The number of times a case can be reset depends on the circumstances. For example, if a defendant has a court-appointed public defender, they can automatically reset the case three times. However, a criminal defense attorney who you hire on your own can automatically reset a case four times.

Who has the final say in criminal cases?

In federal criminal trials, the jury must reach a unanimous decision in order to convict the defendant. After they reach an agreement on a verdict, they notify the judge, the lawyers, and the defendant in open court.

Is it better to settle or go to trial?

Quicker resolution: Settling a case allows for a faster resolution compared to going through the trial process, which can take months or even years. Emotional closure: Settling a case can provide emotional closure for the injured party, as they can move on from the incident and focus on their recovery.

How often do defendants win?

In both Federal and large State courts, conviction rates were the same for defendants represented by publicly financed and private attorneys. Approximately 9 in 10 Federal defen- dants and 3 in 4 State defendants in the 75 largest counties were found guilty, regardless of type of attorney.

How often does a judge reject a plea deal?

How Common Is It for Judges to Reject Plea Deals? The frequency of judges rejecting plea deals may vary depending on jurisdiction and individual cases. However, judges do exercise their authority to reject plea deals when they determine that they are not appropriate or just. It is a rare instance, but it does happen.

Why do most criminal cases never go to trial?

But most cases end pursuant to a plea bargain. Plea deals often make sense for both sides. The government doesn't have the resources to try every case. Plus, it sometimes doesn't want to run the risk of acquittal.

How do you know if a criminal case is strong?

If the state has strong witnesses, photographs, video, or other compelling evidence, or you made damaging admissions, the prosecutor will most likely take a harder approach in your case, making it harder to get the charges against you reduced to a lesser offense. Your defenses will play a role in the outcome as well.

How do you beat a criminal court case?

While getting a case dismissed isn't guaranteed, there are five easy ways to fight for dismissal in San Jose, CA.
  1. File A Pretrial Motion To Suppress. ...
  2. Participate In A Pretrial Diversion Program. ...
  3. Collect Exculpatory Evidence. ...
  4. Argue That There Is Insufficient Evidence. ...
  5. Challenge Scientific Evidence.