If you are accused of committing a crime, you will be arrested by the police and charged in a court of law. Depending on the crime, you may have to pay a fine, do community service, or go to a prison/jail/correctional facility.

Your sentence or punishment depends on the nature of your crime, the evidence against you, and the judgement of a judge in a court. Larger crimes are decided by a jury of peers who produce a verdict. The verdict is either innocent or guilty.

Everyone accused of a crime has the right to defend themselves in a court – everyone is innocent until proven guilty. In a trial in a court, a lawyer defends your case using evidence, witnesses, and testimonials. After the trial, if you are found innocent, you are free. If you are guilty, you are punished with a sentence. In most countries, the most severe punishment is life in prison, or a life sentence, however some countries still use Capital Punishment or the death sentence.