Criminal procedure is related to tort law.

The Due Process clause in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution protects people from state actions that would deprive them of basic rights.

Substantive due process protects personal property from governmental interference or possession.

The exclusionary rule is a criminal procedure rule stating that evidence obtained illegally cannot be used at trial.

The “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine states that subsequently discovered evidence, derived from an initial illegal search and seizure, is admissible if it can be independently verified.

There is no limit on the ability of the police to arrest individuals.

This initial appearance is short. The judge determines that the defendant is the person named in the complaint. The defendant is told his or her rights at this time. These rights include the right to understand the charge, the right to counsel at all stages of the criminal process, and the right to bail. A preliminary hearing date is calendared, usually within ten days of the initial appearance. The court decides whether the defendant may be released prior to the hearing date. If eligible for release, either the defendant will be released on a promise to appear or bail will be set.

The purpose of the preliminary hearing is to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.

The grand jury decides the punishment for the guilty defendant.

An "information" involves a grand jury.

At the arraignment, the charge is read and the defendant enters a plea.

The Brady rule is as follows: The prosecutor must produce any evidence that exculpates, or tends to prove the innocence of, the defendant.