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Step 1
Know that the arraignment is the first step in the court process. This will be a person's initial trip to the courthouse where he will inform the judge whether he plans to fight the charges. The person pleads guilty, not guilty or no contest.
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Step 2
Understand that the "defendant" is the person charged with a crime. This is also the person who makes a plea of guilty or not guilty. Every case must have a defendant and in America, every defendant is entitled representation from an attorney.
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Step 3
Realize there cannot be a defendant without a "plaintiff." The plaintiff is the half of the case who accuses the defendant of treating her unfairly, or illegally. In a civil case, it will be one person against another and in a criminal case, the plaintiff will be the government saying the defendant broke the law.
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Step 4
Prepare testimony during a trial. This is the time when both the attorneys for the plaintiff and defendant question witnesses. The witnesses can only answer direct questions, and can't speak freely.
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Step 5
Receive a subpoena, and you will have to attend the court proceedings as a witness or expert. A subpoena is a paper that says you have to give testimony at a trial. Failure to follow a subpoena is punishable by law. Normally, investigators for the prosecution or defense deliver the subpoenas.
